Football news) Messi after the World Cup victory confirmed that he will continue to play for Argentina despite rumours suggesting that he will retire. Lionel Messi will continue to enthral us for a few more years as the Argentine legend has announced that he is not retiring anytime soon. This comes days after Messi publicly stated that the Qatar edition would be his last World Cup.
The 35-year-old has played in 5 World Cup tournaments so far as his first one was in 2006. This year, Messi also became the player with the most appearances in the history of the FIFA World Cup. The PSG star has gone on to play in 26 matches across five World Cup editions. However, experts and former players are of the opinion that he is currently in his best form and has the capacity to continue for a few more years. With him winning the World Cup he now clearly becomes the favourite to win his 8th Ballon D’or next year in October.
On Sunday, Argentina won a humdinger of an intensely fought final in what was the last World Cup match for Argentina. After finishing all square at the end of the extra time, Argentina won the final 4-2 on penalties. Lionel Messi was arguably the best player in the tournament and was awarded the Golden Ball. Messi fulfilled his childhood dream by winning theWorld Cup following a 4-2 win over France in penalties. Messi was in top form throughout the entire tournament, scoring crucial goals, converting penalties and assisting his teammates as the 35-year-old legend did it all.
“No, I’m not going to retiring from the Argentina national team. I want to continue playing as a champion,”
Messi told TyC Sports after lifting the 2022 FIFA World Cup
“I feel very happy, to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final.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,”.
Last week, while announcing that Qatar edition would be his last World Cup, Messi told Argentine media
“If he wants to keep playing, he will be with us,” Scaloni said. “He is more than entitled to decide whether he wants to keep playing for Argentina or not or what he wants to do with his career. He is such a huge player for us. It is such a pleasure for us to coach him and his teammates. Everything he transmits to his teammates is unparalleled — something I’ve never seen before.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said it was up to Lionel Messi to decide whether he wants to play at another World Cup
Also read: Lionel Messi crowned BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year
