Lionel Messi says 2022 World Cup with Argentina shall be his final

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar subsequent month would be the final of Lionel Messi’s storied profession.

The 35-year-old Argentina star, who will play in his fifth World Cup (which begins on Nov. 20), continues to be in search of his first title on the showpiece event and admitted he feels nervous forward of his final look on world soccer’s greatest stage.

“There’s some nervousness and nerves on the identical time. It’s the final one,” Messi stated in an interview with Star Plus.

It’s the first time the Paris Saint-Germain striker has spoken brazenly about his future after the event, with Messi having not stated definitively whether or not or not he would retire from the nationwide group after Qatar.

Argentina, who’re unbeaten of their previous 35 aggressive matches, will arrive on the World Cup with their confidence excessive after profitable the 2021 Copa America remaining in opposition to hosts Brazil, which Messi believes was a turning level for his group after a number of close to misses.

“In a World Cup, something can occur. All of the matches are very robust. The favourites do not at all times find yourself profitable,” Messi stated. “I do not know if we are the favourites, however Argentina is at all times a candidate due to its historical past. Now much more so due to the second we’re in, however we aren’t the favourites. I believe there are different groups which can be above us.”

Argentina received the World Cup in 1978 and 1986. The group will open the event on Nov. 22 in opposition to Saudi Arabia in Group C earlier than dealing with Mexico and Poland.

Messi’s file with Argentina stands in stark distinction to his success at membership stage. Argentina got here near ending their lengthy trophy drought on three events however have been overwhelmed by Germany within the 2014 World Cup remaining and by Chile within the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals.

“I’ve been taking part in with the nationwide group for a very long time now,” Messi stated. “There have been spectacular moments, like in 2014, 2015 and 2016, however we did not win and have been criticised for not being champions.

“We did every thing proper till the finals.”

Messi stated he was heading to Qatar with a constructive outlook because the elder statesman in a group filled with younger expertise.

“It has been very onerous, however in 2019 a brand new group with many younger individuals got here and received the Copa America. That helped us loads,” he added.

Argentina face the United Arab Emirates of their remaining warm-up in November earlier than starting group play in Qatar.

Data from Reuters and the Related Press was used on this story.