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Lionel Messi has acknowledged that the World Cup final in Qatar will definitely be his final participation in the competition, and he intends to leave on a high note.
After Argentina defeated Croatia to advance to the World Cup final, Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi sent a distressing message to the Croatian people.
The South American team defeated Croatia 3-0 to secure a spot in the championship game.
Messi, a forward for Paris Saint-Germain, put on an incredible display, giving his nation the lead from the penalty spot before setting up Julian Alvarez for his second goal after a spellbinding run.
After playing against Germany in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the 35-year-old now has the chance to add a World Cup to his impressive collection of trophies.
Prior to Sunday’s game, Messi expressed his excitement about returning to the World Cup’s centerpiece, but he also acknowledged that after the tournament’s conclusion, he would never play at another World Cup.
He was quoted as saying, “I am very happy to be able to achieve this,” by the Argentine newspaper Ole. “I am playing my final game in a World Cup final to cap off my tournament run.
Everything about this World Cup that I have experienced, including what others have experienced and how Argentina’s population is enjoying it, has been incredibly exciting.”
Reporters asked Messi if the 2017 World Cup final would be his last for Argentina because he would be 39 by the next tournament. “Yes,” he stated emphatically.
Messi has performed brilliantly for Argentina in Qatar. Despite having played one more game than Kylian Mbappe, he is now tied with the France forward for the tournament’s most goals with five after his goal against Croatia.
In terms of Argentina’s most World Cup goals, he surpassed Gabriel Batistuta, an icon of the Albiceleste.
The former Barcelona player has also set up his teammates on three occasions during the competition, but he has avoided answering the question of whether this World Cup has been his best one ever.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to seeing Argentina return to South America with the trophy for the first time since 1986.
He went on: “I’m not sure if this is my favorite World Cup, but I’ve been enjoying it a lot ever since we got here.
We had to start losing [to Saudi Arabia]. We are aware of who we are and what this group is capable of.
Argentina is once again competing in a World Cup final, and we must enjoy it. We will give it our all and do whatever it takes to win.”
