Lionel Messi says Qatar 2022 will be ‘my last World Cup’

Lionel Messi has said Qatar 2022 is “his last World Cup” after his performance helped Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to reach Sunday’s final.

Messi, 35, is playing at his fifth World Cup and was a key figure of the side that qualified for the final in 2014, which they lost 1-0 to Germany after extra time.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward has been in sensational form in Qatar, and scored his fifth goal of the tournament against Croatia on Tuesday.

The high standard of his performances has led to speculation that he could attempt to star at a sixth World Cup in 2026.

But, speaking after Argentina’s win over Croatia, Messi said that he expected the current tournament in Qatar to be his last.

“It’s my last World Cup,” he said. “It is impressive to end up playing a final. There’s a long way to go for the next one, there are many years and surely because of age I won’t get to it.”

The forward added that he hoped his side could go one better than in 2014, when they lost to a late goal from Mario Gotze, now of Eintracht Frankfurt.

Messi said: “It’s the sixth (World Cup) final that Argentina is going to play and I’ll have played in two.

“Hopefully this time it ends up another way.”

Argentina is looking to win the World Cup for the third time in their history — and first since 1986 — with Messi looking to add football’s biggest prize to his already glittering trophy cabinet.

“Personally I’m very happy, I’m enjoying it a lot and I’m happy that I’m able to help my squad make things happen,” he said.

Agencies