Doha: Argentina superstar Lionel Messi said Sunday’s Qatar World Cup final will be his last World Cup match. “I am very happy to reach the final. My last game will be playing in the final and finishing the World Cup journey.” – Messi told an Argentinian media after the semi-final victory over Croatia.
“The next World Cup is many years away. I don’t think I can attend. “It’s better to end this way,” added Messi. It was already clear that the now 35-year-old Messi will be the last World Cup in Qatar.
The 35-year-old Messi is playing in his fifth World Cup, surpassing the record held by Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano.
Lionel Messi became the top scorer for Argentina in the World Cup with the last match. Messi’s World Cup goal tally reached 11 with a penalty goal scored in the 34th minute against Croatia. Messi surpassed Gabriel Batistuta who scored 10 goals in this regard.
Lionel Messi also shared the record of playing the most World Cup matches with German legend Lothar Mathias. Messi, who is playing in his fifth World Cup, is set to play one more World Cup match with a win in the semi-finals. With reaching the finals, the achievement of the most World Cup matches will change to Messi’s name only.
With the goal in the semi-finals, Messi joined French star Kylian Mbappe in the battle for the Golden Boot at this World Cup. And Messi is also ahead of the race to win the Golden Ball, the award for the best player in this World Cup. The 37-year-old Messi shone on the field with the same excellence from the beginning to the end of the match. Messi rattled the often stout Croatian defence. Messi’s impressive performance gave Argentina a clear lead in the match.
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