Lionel Messi announced that the next World Cup in Qatar will be his last. The 35-year-old superstar has played in four World Cups so far and is reportedly turning 40 for the 2026 tournament in North America.
“It’s my last World Cup, for sure,” Messi told ESPN. “I am counting down the days to the World Cup. There is anxiety and nerves at the same time. Wanting it to be now, what is going to happen and ultimately how is it going to go?
Messi made his senior Argentina debut in 2005. It may have taken the 18-year-old wunderkind six games to score his first international goal, but he would go on to become one of the game’s greats.
At international level, Messi has scored 90 goals in 164 games in total for his country. He currently has the most appearances and goals for the legendary South American team.
Lionel Messi’s last World Cup
As incredible as Messi’s career has been, a World Cup win is his Achilles’ heel. The star striker has essentially collected every major trophy possible, except for a World Cup trophy.
Argentina arrives at the 2022 World Cup as one of the favorites to win it all. Messi, however, acknowledged that things don’t always go according to plan during these tournaments.
“In a World Cup anything can happen,” said Messi. “All the games are very hard. The favorites don’t always end up winning.
“I don’t know if we are the favourites, but Argentina is always a candidate because of its history. Now even more so for the moment we are in, but we are not the favorites. I think there are other teams that are above us”.
Argentina currently ranks third in the latest FIFA ranking. Only rivals Brazil and Belgium are above La Albiceleste in the order.
PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire
