Agentina captain Lionel Andres Messi is set to play his last game of international football on Sunday 18th December 2018 and this will be in the FIFA World Cup final.
While speaking to Argentine media Diario Deportivo Ole, the 35 year old said that it will be a pleasure to play his last game for the La Abiceleste in a Wolrd Cup final.
Messi who will be 39 for the next World Cup in 2026 said that it’s many years from now and he doesn’t think he can do it.
“I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final,” Messi told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole.
“It’s many years for the next one and I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it’s the best,” he added.
The 7 time Balon D’or winner has been a revelation to watch in this world cup as he’s been arguably the best player in the tournament.
Messi scored from a penalty spot yesterday against Croatia to give Argentina the lead before playing a pivotal role in the next two goals scored by Manchester City forward, Julian Alvarez.
It was however the third goal that sent goosebumps through out all football lovers as the little magician from Rosario destroyed the entire Croatian defene.
Messi got the ball from the half line centre and drove it to the Croatian box before turning the Croatian defence upside down and laid a neat pass for Alvarez who made no mistake as he slotted the ball into the back of the net.
This goal made Messi the highest goalscorer for Argentina in the FIFA World cup supassing Gabriel Batistuta who has 10 and Messi now has 11.
The former Barcelona forward is also the joint topscoer at this Wolrd cup with 5 goals the same as his PSG teammate and French forward, Kylian Mbappe.
Mesi however has the upper hand in the Golden boot race as he’s got 3 assists compared to Mbappe’s one.
Furthermore, Messi has now played at 5 world cups surpassing the late Diego Armando Maradona and Javier Mascherano’s 4.
“It’s all well and good (the records), but the important thing is to be able to achieve the group objective, which is the most beautiful thing of all,” Messi added. “We’re just one step away, after fighting hard, and we’re going to give everything to try to make it happen this time.
Argentina now awaits the result in today’s other semi final between France and Morocco to determine who they will play on Sunday.
It will be Messi’s second chance at winning the most prestigious and coveted trophy in football after coming close in 2014 in Brazil but got beaten 1-0 by Germany in the finals.
