Argentine captain Lionel Messi is likely to retire from international football after the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
He has been a key member of the Argentina team since making his debut in 2005. Messi is Argentina’s all-time record goalscorer and also holds the record for most appearances. The attacker from Rosario has scored 96 goals in 171 international matches so far.
Lionel Messi helped La Albiceleste win the Copa América in 2021 and also won the Argentine Footballer of the Year award a record 14 times. Other than that, he has seven Ballon d’Ors in his trophy case.
Lionel Messi to retire after the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi is reportedly expected to announce his retirement from international football after the FIFA World Cup final.
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Speaking to the Argentine media, Diario Deportivo Ole, he said: “I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to end my World Cup career playing my last game in a final. The next one is many years away and I don’t think I can do it. And ending like this is the best”.
Argentina’s World Cup team secured their place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final after recording a 3-0 win against Croatia in the semi-finals on Wednesday. They will face the winner of the Morocco vs France match in the final at Lusail Stadium on December 18.
Lionel Messi has been in brilliant form for Argentina at this FIFA World Cup. He has registered five goals and three assists in six appearances. The Paris Saint-Germain attacker will be looking to enter their international trophy with a FIFA World Cup trophy.
The future of Messi’s club is also uncertain
The future of Lionel Messi’s club also hangs in the balance as he is currently in the final year of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. The Paris team is willing to extend his stay, with Barcelona and Inter Miami also interested in securing his services.
Lionel Messi will make a decision about his future after the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 35-year-old attacker joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in the 2021 summer transfer window.
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He has played 35 games (in all competitions) for the Parisians so far, registering 23 goals and 29 assists. The Argentina international helped PSG win the Ligue 1 title and the Trophee des Champions last season.
