The 2022 World Cup will be the last dance moment of the Argentine national team captain, Lionel Messi. The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar from November 20 to December 18. Argentina became the favorite team in the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup. The squad nicknamed La Albiceleste came to Qatar as the 2021 Copa America champions.
Argentina also successfully beat Italy in a duel of two continental champions titled Finalissima at Wembley Stadium, London, last June. Lionel Scaloni’s men also managed to pack 35 games without losing. This upward trend makes Argentina the champion candidate of being able to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Lionel Messi, who led La Albiceleste to win the Copa America and Finalissima, said he and his team-mates were looking forward to playing in the World Cup. “I’m counting the days until the World Cup. There is a bit of anxiety because we can’t wait to play,” Messi said in an interview with journalist Sebastián Vignolo as quoted by Marca, Thursday (6/10/2022). “On the other hand, there is also tension ahead of the tournament,” said the Paris Saint-Germain star.
Messi, who is now 35 years old, also said that the tournament in Qatar later this year would be his last World Cup. “Is it my last (tournament)? For sure, it will be my last World Cup,” said Messi. Lionel Messi made his World Cup debut with the Argentine national team in Germany in 2006. Since then, the tiny striker nicknamed La Pulga aka The Flea has always appeared to strengthen La Albiceleste at the World Cup. Messi’s best achievement with Argentina at the World Cup was runner-up at the 2014 edition in Brazil.
Messi said he was heading to Qatar with a positive outlook as the elder statesman in a team full of young talent, while also still relishing Argentina’s massive Copa America win last year.
Argentina is in Group C of the 2022 World Cup Qatar along with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland. Lionel Messi et al will start their work in the 2022 World Cup at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, 22 November 2022.