DBasia.news – Lionel Messi confirmed that the 2022 World Cup would be his last, and that there would be no more international tournaments for him after Qatar.
The end of the era of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible footballing dominance is really nearing its time.
The age factor of both of them is the main reason. And the Argentine star has now admitted that he will play his final World Cup in Qatar next month.
“Is this my last World Cup? Yes, of course it is, yes,” the 35-year-old Paris Saint-Germain player told Star+.
“I’m counting down the days to the World Cup. There’s a bit of anxiety and nervousness at the same time.”
“Wishing it would start now but there is also anxiety on what would happen. This is the last [World Cup], how we are going to live it.”
“Yes, on the one hand, we can’t wait for it to arrive and on the other hand, we’re afraid to want it to end soon.”
Given their success in winning the Copa America last year, Argentina will travel to Qatar as one of the favorites to lift the World Cup trophy. Messi said his team was used to such expectations at major tournaments.
“I don’t know if we are a great candidate, but Argentina have always been a candidate because of history, because of the meaning of this team,” said Messi. “It’s improved a lot when we arrived. But we’re not the main favourites in my opinion. There were other teams that were above us today, but the difference wasn’t much.”
“We arrive at a great moment because of the things that have happened, with a tight group, but anything can happen at the World Cup.”
“Every game has been challenging, that’s why the World Cup is so special because it’s not always the favourites who end up winning or doing what you expect.”