“I enjoyed every moment during the 2022 World Cup,” Messi said in a recent interview with Argentine television. “I enjoyed it like never before, little by little, because I knew it could be my last World Cup.”
The owner of seven Golden Balls admitted that he considered retiring from international football if he could not help Argentina win the throne in Qatar. “Honestly, I think if Argentina does not win the 2022 World Cup, I will no longer be in the team shirt,” Messi said.
Messi kisses the Golden Cup after winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina in Doha, Qatar. Photo: FIFA
At the 2022 World Cup, Messi scored seven goals, including a double in the final against France, helping Argentina win the Golden Cup for the third time , after 1978 and 1986. Thanks to that, the Argentine captain was awarded the World Cup Golden Ball by FIFA – award for the best player of the tournament at Qatar 2022, and won the best player of the match award five times.
In addition to being honored in 2014 – where Argentina lost to Germany in the final – Messi became the first person to win the World Cup Best Player award twice, since FIFA awarded this award in 1982.
“Now, as world champion, I cannot leave the team,” Messi added. “I have to enjoy all this, but at the World Cup I feel enjoyed and at the same time very assured and confident in Argentina’s current team.”
However, Messi repeatedly admitted that age could be a problem preventing him and Argentina from defending the World Cup championship. Messi will turn 39 when the 2026 World Cup takes place in the US, Mexico and Canada. If he participates in this tournament, the Argentina captain has the opportunity to break his own record of playing the most matches (26 matches) and improve his scoring record (13 goals).
At the age of 29, Messi announced his farewell to the team after missing a penalty in the shootout, causing Argentina to lose to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final. About two months later, with the persuasion of many teammates and fans. , Messi changed his mind. He has just spent two memorable years with Argentina, winning the 2021 Copa America, 2022 Intercontinental Super Cup and 2022 World Cup respectively.
