Final on Sunday My Last World Cup Match : Messi

Final on Sunday My Last World Cup Match : Messi

Lionel Messi said yesterday that his final FIFA World Cup game for Argentina will be against France on Sunday at the stunning 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium here in Qatar.

The 35-year-old Paris Saint-Germain great has more World Cup appearances for his country than Javier Mascherano and Diego Maradona combined, who each had four.

Messi expressed happiness at capping off his international career by participating in a World Cup final, according to Argentine media site Diario Deportivo Ole, which was covering the event here in Qatar.

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“I feel really thrilled to be able to do this and play my final World Cup game in a final.

“It’s many years for the next one (in 2026 to be jointly hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico) 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.

With his fifth goal in Qatar, Messi has surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as the top Albiceleste scorer at World Cups, netting 11 times. The tally could be more after Sunday’s final at the Lusail Stadium.

The “petit-bomber” guided Argentina to a 3-0 victory against Croatia in their World Cup semifinal on Tuesday at the same venue. On Sunday, he will receive his 172nd cap as he attempts to lead his nation to its first World Cup victory in 36 years.

“It’s all well and good (the records), but the important thing is to be able to achieve the group objective, which is the most beautiful thing of all,” Messi added. “We’re just one step away, after fighting hard, and we’re going to give everything to try to make it happen this time.”

With his 25th start in Tuesday’s semi-final against Croatia, Messi tied Lothar Matthaus’ record for the most World Cup appearances. Messi scored their first goal to bring his tally to five, matching that of leader Kylian Mbappe of France, whose nation played Morocco in the other semi-final last night.

Following Tuesday’s victory, thousands of Argentineans took to the streets to commemorate the country’s sixth World Cup final appearance.