In a surprising announcement that shocked his fans, Lionel Messi confirmed that he will play his last match in the FIFA World Cup when Argentina faces the winner from France or Morocco in the final next Sunday in Qatar.
Messi explained to the Argentine newspaper Diario Deportivo Ole: “I feel very happy because I am able to achieve this and end my journey in the World Cup by playing my last match in the final.”
Finish the rally
The Argentina captain also added: “It’s been many years and I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. Finishing my World Cup career like this is the best for me.”
He also continued: “Everything is good and the records are good, but the important thing is to be able to achieve the team’s goal, which is the most beautiful thing ever. We are one step away after fighting hard, and we will give everything to try to achieve the title this time.”
Messi
Maradona passed
It is noteworthy that the 35-year-old player participated in the World Cup for the fifth time, surpassing four times for each of Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano.
With his fifth goal in Qatar, he also overtook Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s top scorer in the World Cup finals with 11 goals.
Messi led Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Croatia in the semi-finals last night, and he will play his 172nd international match when trying to win the first World Cup title for his country since 1986.
Last night’s victory also prompted thousands of fans to take to the streets in Argentina to celebrate the national team’s qualification to the World Cup final for the sixth time in its history.
France is scheduled to meet Morocco in the other semi-final match later on Wednesday.