By Victor Kanayo
Football star Lionel Messi has officially revealed that the final of the 2022 World Cup game will be his last.
Argentina, a Southern American team have already have already booked a final place after beating Croatia in their semi-final on Tuesday. Messi will earn his 172nd cap at the weekend when he tries to bring the country its first World Cup title since 1986.
They are expected to face either France or Morocco in Sunday’s final in Qatar.
He said, “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.”
The 35-year-old is playing at his fifth World Cup, surpassing the four of Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano.
With his fifth goal in Qatar, he also surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as the top Albiceleste scorer at World Cups, netting 11 times.
“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.”
Tuesday’s victory prompted thousands of fans to take to the streets in Argentina to celebrate the national team’s sixth World Cup final appearance.
Later on Wednesday night December 14, France will battle Morocco in the other semi-final
