Lionel Messi has confirmed that the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar will be his last. The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star has so far competed in four World Cups for Argentina.
In what will be the end of an era, legendary footballer Lionel Messi on Thursday confirmed that the upcoming World Cup 2022 in Qatar would likely be his last appearance at the showpiece event. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has so far competed in four World Cups for Argentina, guiding his country to the final in 2014 in Brazil.
Considered one of the greatest players to have graced the sport, Messi is yet to lift the famed trophy, and the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star will get one last chance to clinch the coveted glory in Qatar when the tournament starts on November 20.
Leo Messi announces: “This will be my last World Cup — for sure. The decision has been made”, tells . 🚨🇦🇷
Important to clarify again that Messi will not decide his future between PSG and Barça now or in the next weeks; it will be in 2023. pic.twitter.com/W54EDZIpfm
Speaking to Star + in Argentina, when asked about whether this would be his final World Cup, Messi said, "Yes. Surely, yes."
The former Barcelona legend also spoke about Argentina's chances of winning the World Cup 2022.
"I don't know if we are the favourite candidates, but Argentina is always a candidate because of history, because of what it means," Messi said.
"We are not the top favourites, it seems to me. There are other teams that are above us today, but we are very close," the Argentinian icon added.
Argentina has been drawn into Group C alongside Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland. Messi and Co. will face Saudi Arabia in their World Cup 2022 opener on November 22.
The news has left countless Messi fans heartbroken and emotional as the thought of seeing their favourite footballer grace the showpiece event for one last time drives them hysteric.
Here's a look at how Messi fans reacted to this news on Twitter:
OMFG 😩😩😩😩😩😩😩 https://t.co/eqIBGToK2o
— TCurgENT (@NLMBRAFA)💔End of an Era https://t.co/eESCDhaoE0
— ⁶𓅓 ⎊ (@_Roger08)The Last Dance 🐐 https://t.co/x47SVD7OoI
— Pablo Aguilar (@Pablo_AG99)i actually can’t do this rn pic.twitter.com/2fQAS7GmvD https://t.co/7ToYHEv8Ga
— seb fan (@sebschickens)The last dance 🙌 https://t.co/gWEi3S7CBH
— Aiyyy 🇲🇻 (@Abdullaiman24)Me rn shocked because I was sure he’d stick it out til 2026 https://t.co/gQaW8XAIow pic.twitter.com/ab2K2Eu6ws
— Erika ♡‧₊˚ (@daehymtsoL)Retirement is happening 😭 https://t.co/jnlM3wD2IQ pic.twitter.com/SL8S9KlZxk
— Alton (@phenon_iv)💔No God pleasee noo💔 https://t.co/JRwEmqocxA
— x_mubashar 🥀 (@mian_mubashar58)one last dance https://t.co/cE3y9tROVJ pic.twitter.com/YAdJbf0VxW
— leo (@leitoohdez)Everything comes to an end💔😭 https://t.co/RDsow0oKLq
— The Brother (@TP_TOE_)The GOAT will definitely give his all to win this. 🥺 https://t.co/e4SDHNrtBm
— TOMMY J. SHELBY✨✨ (@jethroreuzz)He's coming to take what's his. https://t.co/elUoYmWGea pic.twitter.com/Pjxbh9nc1g
— ritz 🥺 (@StfuRitvik)The end is near https://t.co/WiDyg1V0lT pic.twitter.com/Cd5BRJYakf
— 🦁 (@clampcity_)It is the Last Dance in the NT 🐐 https://t.co/6tsXpCk5bS pic.twitter.com/9ttV98r4cd
— Nerryᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ (@IAMVickq)It's the beginning of the end. Surely the fact that he's in top form at 35 years old is an anomaly that quite frankly we shouldn't have the honour of witnessing, and yet.
Cherish him while he's still about folks, one blink and this game will have lost it's greatest performer. https://t.co/pps3YDmOAY