Qatar: Lionel Messi has announced that he would not retire from international football after leading Argentina to its first World Cup victory in 36 years.
Messi will turn 36, but he still feels he has a lot to give his nation next year.
“I love football, it’s what I do. I enjoy being in the national team and want to continue by experiencing a few more games as a world champion. Obviously, I wanted to cap my career with this and I can’t ask for anything more,” Messi remarked.
Messi, who scored two goals in the final, penned an emotional note to the fans after Argentina won the World Cup. Messi wrote on Instagram that it was his dream to win the trophy, and thanked the fans for their support throughout the journey.
“World Champions! I dreamed it so many times, I wanted it so much that I still haven’t fallen, I can’t believe it. Thank you very much to my family, to all who support me and also to all who believed in us. We demonstrate once again that Argentines when we fight together and united we are capable of achieving what we set out to do. The merit belongs to this group, which is above individualities, it is the strength of all fighting for the same dream that was also the dream of all Argentines… We did it! Go Argentina! we are seeing each other very soon,” Messi shared on Instagram.
In his sixth World Cup, Messi scored twice in the final and made a penalty kick in the shootout. He won the tournament’s Golden Ball – awarded to the best player – after scoring seven goals. Messi will turn 39 during the next World Cup and he had hinted previously that this edition in Qatar would be his last.
However, coach Lionel Scaloni told he wants Messi in his squad for the 2026 tournament.
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