Argentina captain Lionel Messi has hinted at the possibility of Sunday’s final being his last appearance for his country.
Messi guided the Albiceleste to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Croatia in Tuesday’s semifinal at the Lusail Stadium.
The talisman scored Argentina’s first goal from a spot-kick before teeing up Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez for his second and Argentina’s third of the match.
The Paris Saint-Germain attacker revealed his happiness at his nation securing a spot in the final and that it would be his last game in a World Cup.
Messi, who was part of the Argentine team that lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, will hope to lead his country to victory this time, with the possibility of finally laying his hands on the World Cup trophy.
The 35-year-old earlier announced his retirement from international football in 2016 after missing a penalty in the shoot-out, in Argentina’s loss to Chile in the Copa America final.
Speaking after Tuesday’s game, Messi allayed any fear of injuries and revealed that the final game at the 2022 World Cup will be his last appearance in a World Cup match.
“I feel really good, I feel strong and ready to play each game,” he was quoted by Sky Sports. “I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final. That is really very gratifying.
“Everything I lived in this World Cup has been emotional, seeing how much it has been enjoyed in Argentina.
“There are a lot of years from this year to the next one. I don’t think I will be able to do that. To finish this way is brilliant.
Messi is one of the six men to have appeared in five World Cup tournaments, along with German Lothar Matthaus, Antonio Carbajal, Andres Guardado & Rafael Marquez of Mexico, and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
He is the joint-top scorer in Qatar with five goals, levelled with French ace Kylian Mbappe.
