After helping Argentina lift the 2022 World Cup trophy, Lionel Messi said that he would not retire from international football.
Messi was able to score two goals in the final against France on Sunday (18/12/2022) at the Lusail Stadium.
Argentina won on penalties 4-2 to win their third World Cup title.
Messi, who is currently 35 years old, was able to break the record for most appearances at the World Cup with 26 appearances.
“I won the Copa America and the World Cup in a short time,” Messi was quoted as saying by espn.
“I like what I do, being in the national team, and I want to continue to have a few more matches to become world champion,” continued Messi.
“I will bring the Cup to Argentina to enjoy it with you,” he continued.
Messi said it was anyone’s childhood dream to lead Argentina to a World Cup title.
“It’s anyone’s childhood dream,” said Messi.
“I’m lucky to have achieved everything in this career… and this missing one is here,” he continued.
“It’s crazy… look at how she [World Cup] is, she’s beautiful. I really wanted her. I had a vision that this would be the one and only… she’s getting closer,” he continued.
“We suffered, but we already have it (the World Cup). I want to close my career with this. I can’t ask for anything else, thank God, he gave me everything,” said Messi.
Lionel Scaloni also said in his post-match press conference that Messi would always be welcome to play for Argentina.
“First of all, we need to save him from the 2026 World Cup,” Scaloni said as quoted by espn.
“If he wants to continue playing, he will be with us. I think he is more than entitled to decide if he wants to continue playing or what he wants to do with his career.”
“It’s a great pleasure for us to coach him and his team-mates. Everything he conveys to his team-mates is something unmatched, something I’ve never seen before – a player, a person who gives so much to his team-mates, said Scaloni.
