Messi confirmed after Argentina beat France that he does not intend to retire from international football, and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he held out hope of him playing in the United States, Canada and Mexico in four years’ time.
“We need to save him a spot,” said Scaloni. “If he wants to keep playing, he’ll be with us.”
But Messi will be 39 in 2026 and has confirmed Sunday’s dramatic final against France will be his last World Cup match.
Lionel Messi lifts the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar - In Pictures
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup (Getty Images)
Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi (R) holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy following the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail (AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium (Getty Images)
Argentina's Lionel Messi takes pictures of his wife Antonela Roccuzzo as she holds the winners trophy after Argentina won the World Cup final soccer match against France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, (AP)
Argentina's Lionel Messi sits with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo after the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy as Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Lionel Messi led the celebrations after Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar (Getty Images)
Messi has now won two major international trophies in two years following the 2021 Copa America win (Getty Images)
Asked if he thought this was his last World Cup match, the 35-year-old said: “As I’ve said before, it is.
“They (the fans in Argentina) should wait for us. We’re coming home to celebrate with them.
“We’ve done it. We couldn’t have asked for more. I thank God for everything he gave me, for this outcome, for this trophy that I dreamt of, my team-mates and Argentina too. What can I say…we are world champions.”
Messi emulates Diego Maradona by leading Argentina to World Cup glory for the first time since 1986.
“I’m not going to analyse the match now, there’s no need,” he continued. “We were destined to be world champions and we are.
“The game developed as it did, but this is not the time for analysis, but for celebration.”
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