Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has confirmed that the 2022 FIFA World Cup next month will be his last.
The 35-year-old is preparing for his fifth world cup with Argentina and Qatar will be the last destination for the man from Rosario on that stage.
Although the 2024 Copa America could yet be Messi’s final bow with the Albiceleste, this year will be his final time on the world’s biggest state with his national team viewed as one of the favorites.
Messi has scored six goals across four world cups to date, and four of those goals came in 2014 when Argentina lost 1-nill to Germany in the final after extra time.
Copa America success in Brazil last year ended the former Barcelona star’s wait for international success and he did also briefly retire back in 2016 before going back on that decision.
Messi has 90 goals from 164 appearances for his country which ranks behind only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo with 117 and Iran’s Ali Daei on 109 at the international level.
No decision has yet been taken on a potential return to Barca, but speculation has already linked him with a camp nou comeback next summer.
Messi is expected to decide upon his future after this year’s world cup which sees the argentines in group c with Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland.