Argentina star Lionel Messi could soon hang his boots from international football as he nears the World Cup dream that has eluded him for his entire career. According to reports surfacing on Wednesday (December 14), Lionel Messi is likely to retire from international football after Sunday’s showdown final against France or Morocco. The mesmerizing star has been in sublime form in the FIFA World Cup 2022 and has scored five goals.
Messi’s last FIFA World Cup
Before the start of the tournament, Messi confirmed that this will be his last FIFA World Cup while he will continue to play at the club level. The Paris Saint Germain man has been in sublime form at the FIFA World Cup 2022 and has scored five goals in the tournament so far.
"I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final," Messi told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole.
"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," added the Argentina captain.
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Messi inspires Argentina win vs Croatia
Lionel Messi gave himself one last shot at World Cup glory as he and Julian Alvarez scored for Argentina in a 3-0 win over Croatia at the Lusail Iconic Stadium to reach the final. They will face either France or Morocco, who play in Wednesday's semi-final, on Sunday.
Messi fired into the top corner from the penalty spot (34) against the run of play to open the scoring after Man City striker Alvarez earned a debatable penalty following a collision with Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Croatia collapsed after the opener and conceded another five minutes later from an Argentina counter-attack after comical defending as Alvarez doubled their lead (39) having carried the ball from his own half.
