Lionel Messi to retire from international football after world cup final
According to reports, Lionel Messi has said that the 2022 FIFA World Cup championship game will be his final contest for Argentina. Argentina overcame Croatia 3-0 on Wednesday in the first semi-final, with goals from Messi, who also assisted on the third.
With his five goals in the competition so far, Messi has surpassed Gabriel Batistuta’s ten to become Argentina’s all-time greatest scorer in World Cups. The 35-year-old has already scored 11 goals at the World Cup.
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“I feel very thrilled to be able to do this, to complete my World Cup trip by playing my last game in a final,” Messi reportedly told Argentine media source Diario Deportivo Ole.
“It’s many years until the next one and I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. And this is the best way to end “Added he.
Messi urged his teammates to “enjoy” the event following the semifinal victory over Croatia. “Argentina is back in the World Cup championship game. Embrace it! “Messi remarked.
“We have experienced both difficult and wonderful circumstances. We are witnessing something amazing right now.” Julian Alvarez, a forward for Manchester City, scored twice to bring his tournament total of goals to four in as many games.
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Argentina was one of the tournament favourites when they travelled to Qatar, but after losing their opening group match 1-2 to underdog Saudi Arabia, questions began to surface. Before travelling to Doha, they had 36 games in which they had not lost.
The final, which will be held at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday, will now include either the defending champions France or the two-time champions Morocco.
