Lionel Messi confirmed Qatar 2022 will be his final World Cup, after he inspired Argentina to victory over Croatia to set up a last dance on the biggest stage of them all.
Messi scored one goal and helped set up two more for Julian Alvarez as Argentina won 3-0 last night to give the tournament the final act it has craved.
There were echoes of Diego Maradona in 1986 in the way Messi bamboozled Josko Gvardiol to set up Alvarez for his second goal, as the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner gave himself one more shot at the trophy that has eluded him.
Messi, 35, is playing at his fifth World Cup and Qatar was expected to be his final chance to get his hands on the biggest prize in the game.
There had been some speculation that the Argentina captain could attempt a sixth World Cup in 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. But Messi has confirmed that Sunday’s final against either France or Morocco will be the last World Cup match of his career.
Messi said: “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 [in 2026]. I don’t think I will be able to do that. To finish this way is brilliant.”
Messi has won four Champions Leagues, 11 top-flight titles and led Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021, but the World Cup is the one glaring omission.
Argentina were beaten by Germany in the 2014 final in Brazil and Messi, who has moved level with Kylian Mbappe on five goals in the race for the Golden Boot here in Qatar, said: “We are going to do our best, as we have done up until now, so that this time it really happens — we really win it.
“I have been enjoying it the past few years, being with the national side. I am really enjoying everything that is happening to us. To get the Copa America, to reach the World Cup after going 36 games unbeaten, and to finish all that trajectory in a final is just incredible.
“I hope the people in Argentina enjoy themselves and what we are doing. They should not doubt we are giving absolutely everything.”
