Lionel Messi, Argentina’s star footballer and captain, has confirmed that the final game of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar on Sunday (December 18) will be his final game for his country. The 35-year-old is the tournament’s leading goal scorer and assist provider this year, having helped Argentina reach the final of the ongoing tournament by defeating Croatia in the first semifinal on Tuesday night (Wednesday IST). He scored his team’s first goal against Croatia and then assisted on Julian Alvarez’s third goal.
Messi confirmed his retirement plans to Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Olé after Argentina’s win, saying that Sunday’s summit clash will be his final game for the South American giants.
“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,” Messi stated.
Messi has been on fire in this year’s FIFA World Cup. He has four Player of the Match awards and has scored in five of the six matches he has played so far.
With his spectacular performance against Croatia in the first semifinal, he broke multiple records. By making the starting lineup, he equaled former Germany midfielder Lothar Matthaus’ record for most World Cup appearances (25). Then, by scoring the opening goal for the South Americans, he broke the record held by former Argentina striker Gabriel Batistuta for the most goals scored by an Argentine player in FIFA World Cup matches.
Messi now has 11 goals in 25 appearances. Messi set a new record not only for goals, but also for assists. In four games, he is the first player in World Cup history to score a goal and provide an assist. He’s done it three times in this World Cup and once in 2006 against Serbia.
Messi, who is competing in his “record-equaling” fifth FIFA World Cup in Qatar this year, will appear in his second FIFA World Cup final. He also led Argentina to the final of the 2014 edition, but had to settle for second place. However, he will be hoping to end his country’s 36-year wait for a World Cup title this year. Argentina will face the winner of the second semifinal between France and Morocco in the final on Sunday (December 18).