Lionel Messi powered Argentina to a terrific 3-0 victory against Croatia in the semi-finals and booked his side’s place in the finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. A lot of people were speculating that this World Cup will be his final one and he will be calling it quits soon from international football. Now, the confirmation has come from the legendary striker himself.
Lionel Messi will be playing his 172nd match for Argentina on 18th December 2022 during the Qatar final. He will be hoping that side wins its 3rd FIFA World Cup and the first one since 1986.
“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 before the next one and I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it’s the best,” Messi told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole.
Lionel Messi has so far netted 5 goals for the La Albiceleste and is the side’s top-scorer in this World Cup. The Argentine skipper has been in stupendous form in this World Cup and has conjured magic with the foot. His assist yesterday to Julian Alvarez’s second goal yesterday was a proper show of his skills and caliber.
“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. We’re just one step away, after fighting hard, and we’re going to give everything to try to make it happen this time,” added Lionel Messi, who is a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Argentina will be facing the winner of France vs Morocco in the finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The high-octane final will be taking place at the Lusail Stadium and is slated to kick-start at 8:30 PM (IST).
