Argentina skipper Lionel Messi on Wednesday confirmed that he will retire from international football after the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar.
"I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final. 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," Messi told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole Wednesday morning.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's remarks about his Argentina future came hours after he led the La Albiceleste to the title clash of the World Cup, having produced a goal and an assist to help them defeat Croatia 3-0 in the first semi-final at the Lusail Stadium.
Messi has been in red-hot form in Qatar, having already scored five goals there, putting himself at par with France's Kylian Mbappe to become the joint top-scorer at the 2022 edition of the World Cup.
Last night, he also went past Gabriel Batistuta to emerge as Argentina's leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cups.
While Batistuta retired from the sport with 10 goals in World Cups, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star now has 11 to his name for Argentina in the tournament.
Argentina arrived in Qatar as one of the favorites to win the World Cup and have so far lived up to their billing despite suffering a shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening group game.
They will now meet either Spain and Portugal's slayer Morocco, or reigning champions France in the final, which will take place at the same arena on Sunday.