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Lionel Messi has stated that the FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be his last.
Apart from leading Argentina to the World Cup final in 2014, where Messi and his teammates were defeated by Germany, the PSG forward has also led his country to its famous Copa America title against archrivals Brazil in 2021 and the Finalissima title against defending European champion Italy earlier this year.
“The decision has been made,” the 35-year-old said in an interview with ESPN.
“I’m counting down the days until the World Cup. “The truth is, there’s a little anxiety, saying: ‘Well, we’re here, what’s going to happen? It’s my last one, how’s it going to go?’. On one hand, I can’t wait for it to arrive but I’m also desperate for it to go well,” Messi said.
Argentina has four World Cup appearances under his belt, with Qatar 2022 being his fifth. Messi has appeared in 164 international games for Argentina, scoring 90 goals since his debut in 2005.
Argentina has been in imperious form under his leadership, with a 35-match unbeaten record.
“I don’t know if we are the favourites, but Argentina in itself is always a candidate for history, for what it means. We are not the favourites, I think there are other teams that are above us,” Messi said.
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