Lionel Messi (35) draws a line: four days before the final of the World Cup, what is considered by many to be the best player of all time announces his retirement from the World Cup. "The final is my last game at a football World Cup," he told the sports newspaper "Olé". It's "four more years" to the next World Cup and he doesn't think he'll be able to do it. "And stopping that way is the best thing," said the 35-year-old. With an appearance on Sunday, he will overtake Lothar Matthäus (61) as the World Cup record player with 26 games.
On Sunday there will be a showdown for the World Cup, but the Argentinians have yet to find an opponent. Today, Wednesday, from 8 p.m. between France and Morocco, it will be clear who will stand in the way of Messi's perfect finish. However, the French are the clear favorites against the Moroccans, for whom reaching the semifinals is already a huge sensation. After all, no African team has done it before them.
However, the Albiceleste does not have to hide from any opponent. Messi's team put on a commanding performance against Croatia on Tuesday. They won 3-0 against Croatians, who had been strong in defence. The PSG star Messi also shone, converting a penalty to the first goal and brilliantly playing the second goal of his colleague Alvarez.
One thing is already certain: With Lionel Messi, the Argentine national team will lose their most important player since Diego Maradona (1960-2020) at a World Cup. The multiple world footballer Messi has scored 96 goals in 171 games for his home country and has already won the Copa America. In an interview with "Olé" he also emphasizes that "the goal of the team" is most important to him. And this is the World Cup.
At club level, Messi has already won numerous titles, including four Champions League victories with FC Barcelona. His contract in Paris runs until the end of the season, with an option for a further one. The two-time world footballer is one of the key players there again this season. But recently there have been rumors that the superstar could end his professional career in the USA.
