Lionel Messi says 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar will ‘certainly’ be his final

Argentina captain Lionel Messi stated Thursday that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will “certainly” be the final of his profession, reported AFP.

“It’s my final World Cup, certainly. I really feel good bodily, I used to be capable of do an excellent pre-season this 12 months, which I couldn’t do final 12 months. It was important to get to the place I’m, with an excellent way of thinking and numerous hope,” the 35-year-old advised ESPN-Argentina.

Messi made his worldwide debut in 2007 and has since gained 164 caps for Argentina. He’s but to win the World Cup title, coming closest when his crew reached the ultimate in 2014.

Messi had already as soon as introduced his worldwide retirement in 2016 however recalled the determination quickly after. He went on to finish his lengthy await a serious trophy when he led Argentina to the Copa America title in 2021. Messi then stole the present as Copa America holders Argentina powered to a 3-0 win towards European champions Italy within the Finalissima at Wembley earlier this 12 months.

Within the ESPN interview, which occurred in Paris the place Messi performs for Paris Saint-Germain, he admitted he was nervous concerning the impending match.

“There may be nervousness, nerves concerning the World Cup,” he stated. “We are able to’t await it to begin.”

Messi’s worldwide debut instead towards Hungary in 2005 lasted simply two minutes earlier than he was despatched off however he quicky established himself within the nationwide crew set-up and travelled to Germany for his first World Cup in 2006.

He went on to play within the 2010 version in South Africa, 2014 in Brazil, the place Argentina reached the ultimate, and 2018 in Russia.

The present facet, underneath the administration of Lionel Scaloni, have now gone 35 video games with out defeat and are more likely to determine among the many pre-tournament favourites for the match.

“We’ve got reached an excellent second, with a really well-equipped and really sturdy group, however something can occur,” stated Messi.

“All of the video games are very tough. The favourites usually are not all the time those who find yourself profitable or taking the trail that one anticipated.

“Argentina is all the time a candidate due to its historical past and what it means. However we aren’t the one favourites, there are different groups which are above us.”

Final probability for glory

Argentina get their bid for a 3rd World Cup title, and first since 1986, underway on November 22 towards Saudi Arabia in Lusail, earlier than additional Group C matches towards Mexico and Poland.

Messi solely scored as soon as 4 years in the past in Russia as Argentina bowed out with a 4-3 defeat by eventual champions France within the final 16, following a humiliating 3-0 thumping by Croatia within the group stage.

However hopes are excessive that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner may bow out from World Cups with glory within the Center East.

Messi gained the perfect participant award as he led Argentina to final 12 months’s Copa America crown – beating arch rivals Brazil within the ultimate – to win their first main match title in 28 years. He was concerned in most of Argentina’s goalscoring exploits and was participant of the match.

Qatar will now be the final probability for Messi to lastly elevate the World Cup.

With inputs from AFP