Lionel Messi confirms retirement after FIFA World Cup 2022
Lionel Messi (Image Credit: Twitter)
Ahead of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022, Argentina skipper Lionel Messi indicated retirement from international football. He had said that this tournament might be his last even though he would be playing for his country for an extended period. However, with the team reaching the final, Messi has confirmed that he will retire from the game. He has confirmed that the title clash on December 18 would be his last.
He announced his decision after the two-time winners, thumped Croatia 3-0 to make a place in the final. In the game, the 35-year-old, Messi opened the scoring in the 34th minute via a penalty. The rest of the goals were scored by Julian Alvarez. Meanwhile, after reaching the final, Messi said that he is happy to reach the final and would love to finish his World Cup journey with the title clash. He added that the next World Cup is years away and he might not be able to play it
“I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final,” Messi told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole.
“It’s many years for the next one and I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it’s the best,” added the Argentina captain.
“It’s all well and good (the records), but the important thing is to be able to achieve the group objective, which is the most beautiful thing of all,” Messi added. “We’re just one step away, after fighting hard, and we’re going to give everything to try to make it happen this time.”
Argentina has a chance to win its third World Cup title
The Southern American side won their first title way back in 1978. Notably, the team was the host of the tournament, beating arch-rivals, the Netherlands in the final. Eight years later, the Blue Brigade reclaimed the title, beating Germany in the final. Once again, Argentina has the opportunity to win the title, having missed out in 2014 as they lost to Germany.
