Star footballer Lionel Messi confirmed he will play his last FIFA World Cup game when Argentina takes on France or Morocco in Sunday’s final in Qatar. The 35-year-old is playing at his fifth World Cup, surpassing the four of Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano.
Messi also talked about his record of 11 goals in the World Cup as he surpassed Gabriel Batistuta and became the top Albiceleste scorer at World Cups.
"I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final, It's many years for the next one and I don't think I'll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it's the best," Messi told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole.
"It's all well and good (the records), but the important thing is to be able to achieve the group objective, which is the most beautiful thing of all, We're just one step away, after fighting hard, and we're going to give everything to try to make it happen this time." Messi added.
Argentina qualified for the finals
It was an emotional night for Argentina fans all across the globe. Lionel Messi, their biggest hero of this century, displayed a masterclass, akin to magic on the football field to give himself a shot at the grandest farewell.
The Argentina captain took his game to another level as the match progressed. He played an active role in Argentina's next two goals. Messi's assist to Julian Alvarez for which he dribbled past Gvardiol, one of the best defenders of the tournament, from a difficult position, left fans and experts scratching their heads.
Two goals from Alvarez and one from Lionel Messi guided Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia in the first semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 at the Lusail Stadium on Wednesday. France will face World Cup history makers Morocco in the semifinal on Wednesday. Defending champions France know that the victory against surprise package Morocco would leave them just one win away from becoming the first team in 60 years to successfully defend the trophy.