Lionel Messi Says NO To Argentina Retirement After World Cup Triumph As He Needs To 'Proceed Taking part in As A Champion'

Lionel Messi lastly added the one trophy that had been lacking from his cupboard, the FIFA World Cup, after steering Argentina to an exhilarating win over France within the 2022 FIFA World Cup last. The talismanic playmaker needed to undergo time and time once more in the course of the 120 minutes, as Argentina twice conceded the lead on the evening. Furthermore, the South Individuals have been operating away with the cup till the eightieth minute with a 2-0 lead from Messi and Di Maria strikes, just for Kylian Mbappe to come back alive and internet two objectives in two minutes to take the sport to the extra-time.

The Argentina captain as soon as once more dragged his facet into the lead within the 108th minute of the additional time, just for Gonzalo Montiel to concede one other penalty ten minutes later and Mbappe to equalize for 3-3. The sport headed for a penalty shootout, as Argentina’s trump card Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman’s spot-kick and noticed Aurelien Tchouameni shoot his kick vast to steer his staff to the last word glory. Whereas Messi was then soaked in celebrations, he might have topped the cake with a cherry, by asserting his continuation within the nationwide staff.

Lionel Messi hints at that includes at 2026 World Cup to defend Argentina’s title

Lionel Messi had confirmed previous to Sunday’s World Cup last that it could be the final time he'll characteristic at a FIFA World Cup recreation. At 35, this absolutely seemed the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s penultimate FIFA World Cup match, and he did cap it off with a triumph. Nonetheless, Messi may need simply despatched the Argentina followers and the world right into a frenzy as he introduced with the World Cup trophy in his arms that he's not retiring from the nationwide staff and that can proceed to play with the champion’s badge on the chest. He instructed TyC Sports activities after the sport:

“It’s merely unbelievable. I knew that God was going to offer us the Cup, I used to be positive — it was an enormous pleasure for us. I had this massive dream since very long time, I needed to shut my profession with World Cup. I can’t ask greater than this. I'm not retiring from the Argentina nationwide staff. I need to proceed taking part in as a champion. We undergo, however we have already got it [the World Cup]. I needed to shut my profession with this, thank God, he gave me every part.”

The previous Barcelona star was merely unbelievable on the evening, identical to his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe who grew to become simply the second participant within the historical past of the match after Sir Geoff Hurst to internet a hat-trick within the last. However it seemed prefer it was meant for Messi to finish his already illustrious profession with a World Cup trophy, and be part of the league of Diego Maradona and Pele.

In the meantime, the person who helped Lionel Messi realise his final dream, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni too reiterated that he needs his captain to stick with the nationwide staff till the 2026 World Cup, to defend their title. Scaloni was the one who performed a pivotal function to drive Messi into an U-turn from his retirement in 2016, and eventually led the ‘La Pulga’ to what he deserved. Talking after the sport, Scaloni stated:

“He [Messi] is such an enormous participant for us. It's such a pleasure for us to teach him and his teammates. Every part he transmits to his teammates is unparalleled — one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than. Messi ought to have a spot within the subsequent World Cup, we would like him to proceed. He earned the precise to do no matter he needs along with his profession. If he needs to maintain taking part in, the ’10’ will at all times be prepared for Lionel.”

For now, Messi’s subsequent main match with Argentina would be the 2024 Copa America, the place once more he'll attempt to defend the title they gained bac in 2021. Whereas it's nonetheless tough to think about the newly topped world champion to grace the 2026 FIFA World Cup at an age of 39, Messi nevertheless cemented his legacy because the GOAT on a glittering evening on the Lusail Stadium, lifting the coveted trophy for Argentina for the primary time since Maradona raised it in 1986.