Lionel Messi addresses retirement talks after winning World Cup
Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi has revealed that he has no intention of hanging up his international football boots yet after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Sunday in Qatar.
La Albiceleste overpowered Les Bleus 4-2 in the penalty shootout following a thrilling 3-3 draw in 120 minutes.
The former Barcelona star bagged a brace while Angel Di Maria also got his name on the scoresheet for Argentina.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe grabbed a hat-trick in which he brought back his side from 2-0 and 3-2 down.
Messi finally realised his lifetime dream of leading Argentina to the World Cup triumph.
It was now or never for Messi, who had confirmed that the final against the French side was his last dance in the World Cup tournament.
However, after the match, the Paris Saint-Germain(PSG) star vowed to continue donning the white and sky blue shirt despite retirement rumours.
MESSI TO CONTINUE PLAYING FOR ARGENTINA
“No, I’m not going to retire from the national team,” Messi said according to TyC Sports.
“I want to keep playing as World Cup champions with Argentina shirt!”
Messi says he always believed that a moment of being a world champion would at some point come his way.
“It’s crazy that it happened at the time it happened, but it’s amazing,” he added.
“It’s amazing that it could end this way. I said previously that God was going to grant me this and I don’t know why but I felt it was going to be this time.”
MESSI WINS GOLDEN BALL
Messi was awarded with the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament, becoming the first player to win it twice after winning the honour in 2014.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner also became the first player to score in each round of the same World Cup since the introduction of last 16 in 1986.
Messi netted seven goals in seven matches he played for Lionel Scaloni’s men in Qatar.
Mbappe walked with the Golden Boot award after he scored eight goals while Enzo Fernandez won FIFA Young Player award for his tremendous display throughout the tournament.
The Golden Glove trophy was scooped by Emiliano Martinez for numerous colossal performances including twice helping Argentina win on penalties against Netherlands and France.
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