Lionel Messi finally added the only trophy that had been missing from his cabinet, the FIFA World Cup, after steering Argentina to a thrilling win over France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. The talismanic playmaker had to suffer time and time again during the 120 minutes, as Argentina twice conceded the lead on the night. Moreover, the South Americans were running away with the cup until the 80th minute with a 2-0 lead from Messi and Di Maria strikes, only for Kylian Mbappe to come alive and net two goals in two minutes to take the game to the extra-time.
The Argentina captain once again dragged his side into the lead in the 108th minute of the extra time, only for Gonzalo Montiel to concede another penalty ten minutes later and Mbappe to equalize for 3-3. The game headed for a penalty shootout, as Argentina’s trump card Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman’s spot-kick and saw Aurelien Tchouameni shoot his kick wide to lead his team to the ultimate glory. While Messi was then soaked in celebrations, he may have topped the cake with a cherry, by announcing his continuation in the national team.
Lionel Messi hints at featuring at 2026 World Cup to defend Argentina’s title
Lionel Messi had confirmed prior to Sunday’s World Cup final that it would be the last time he will feature at a FIFA World Cup game. At 35, this surely looked the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s penultimate FIFA World Cup tournament, and he did cap it off with a triumph. However, Messi might have just sent the Argentina fans and the world into a frenzy as he announced with the World Cup trophy in his arms that he is not retiring from the national team and that will continue to play with the champion’s badge on the chest. He told TyC Sports after the game:
“It’s simply unbelievable. I knew that God was going to give us the Cup, I was sure — it was a big joy for us. I had this big dream since long time, I wanted to close my career with World Cup. I can’t ask more than this. I am not retiring from the Argentina national team. I want to continue playing as a champion. We suffer, but we already have it [the World Cup]. I wanted to close my career with this, thank God, he gave me everything.”
The former Barcelona star was simply unbelievable on the night, just like his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe who became just the second player in the history of the tournament after Sir Geoff Hurst to net a hat-trick in the final. But it looked like it was meant for Messi to complete his already illustrious career with a World Cup trophy, and join the league of Diego Maradona and Pele.
Meanwhile, the man who helped Lionel Messi realise his ultimate dream, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni too reiterated that he wants his captain to stay with the national team until the 2026 World Cup, to defend their title. Scaloni was the one who played a pivotal role to force Messi into an U-turn from his retirement in 2016, and finally led the ‘La Pulga’ to what he deserved. Speaking after the game, Scaloni said:
“He [Messi] is such a huge player for us. It is such a pleasure for us to coach him and his teammates. Everything he transmits to his teammates is unparalleled — something I’ve never seen before. Messi should have a place in the next World Cup, we want him to continue. He earned the right to do whatever he wants with his career. If he wants to keep playing, the ’10’ will always be ready for Lionel.”
For now, Messi’s next major tournament with Argentina will be the 2024 Copa America, where again he will try to defend the title they won bac in 2021. While it is still difficult to imagine the newly crowned world champion to grace the 2026 FIFA World Cup at an age of 39, Messi however cemented his legacy as the GOAT on a glittering night at the Lusail Stadium, lifting the coveted trophy for Argentina for the first time since Maradona raised it in 1986.