Lionel Messi Quits After Qatar 2022

By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 15, 2022

Lionel Messi confirmed Qatar 2022 would be his final World Cup, after he inspired Argentina to victory over Croatia to set up a last dance on the biggest stage of them all.

Messi scored one goal and helped set up two more for Julian Alvarez as Argentina won 3-0 Tuesday night to give the tournament the final act it has craved.

There were echoes of Diego Maradona in 1986 in the way Messi bamboozled Josko Gvardiol to set up Alvarez for his second goal, as the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner gave himself one more shot at the trophy that has eluded him.

Messi, 35, is playing at his fifth World Cup and Qatar was expected to be his final chance to get his hands on the biggest prize in the game.

AFP via Getty Images

There had been some speculation that the Argentina captain could attempt a sixth World Cup in 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. But Messi has confirmed that Sunday’s final against either France or Morocco will be the last World Cup match of his career.

Messi said: “I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final. That is really very gratifying.

 “Everything I lived in this World Cup has been emotional, seeing how much it has been enjoyed in Argentina.

 “There are a lot of years from this year to the next one [in 2026]. I don’t think I will be able to do that. To finish this way is brilliant.”

Messi has won four Champions Leagues, 11 top-flight titles and led Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021, but the World Cup is the one glaring omission.

Argentina was beaten by Germany in the 2014 final in Brazil and Messi, who has moved level with Kylian Mbappe on five goals in the race for the Golden Boot here in Qatar, said: “We are going to do our best, as we have done up until now, so that this time it really happens — we really win it.

 “I have been enjoying it the past few years, being with the national side. I am really enjoying everything that is happening to us. To get the Copa America, to reach the World Cup after going 36 games unbeaten, and to finish all that trajectory in a final is just incredible.

 “I hope the people in Argentina enjoy themselves and what we are doing. They should not doubt we are giving absolutely everything.”

Source Sporting Sun

Posted December 15, 2022


 

You may also like...
Release FIFA, Glo grants to Nigeria Women Football...

Barcelona Grind Out Bilbao Win To Put Pressure...

'PL must be wary of Chinese riches'

Man Utd Consider January Move For Tottenham Star...

Tosin Kehinde demoted to Man United under-23 bench...

Ambassador charges Flying Eagles to win U-20 World...

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,140 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,267 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,349 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,990 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,930 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,877 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,717 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,287 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,331 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,034 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,488 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,915 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media