Messi says he won't retire from the national side after winning WC

Lionel Messi and the Argentine National Team form a story that is almost 20 years old. From his debut in an improvised friendly for the Under 20 National Team in mid-2004, created by the Argentina Football national side to ensure that the then-teenager from Barcelona would play for the Albiceleste and not for a Spanish National Team that wanted to have him in their ranks, to the final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where he won his first World Cup title with the Argentina side.

Lionel Messi had not specified that the Qatar 2022 World Cup final would be his last game with the Argentine National Team. Messi talked about a few days ago that this could be his last World Cup. "It's a lot of happiness to be able to achieve this. Ending my career in the World Cups by playing my last game in a final," he after the victory over Croatia. "Yes, surely yes. There are many years before the next one and I don't think it will give me. And ending this way is the best," confirmed Rosario's legend before cross-examination.

In an interview before the World Cup, Messi said the same thing: "It's probably the last World Cup I'll play." Finally, after winning the WC title in Qatar, Messi was clear and warned that he is not retiring from the National Team. "What will happen after this... I was able to win the Copa América and the World Cup. But on the other hand, I love football, I enjoy being in the National Team and I want to experience a few more games being world champion."

Several important appointments appear for Argentina in the closest calendar of the National Team after the World Cup. The Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup begin in March 2023, with several matches in the country where the World Cup finalists can enjoy popular affection. In mid-2024, Argentina will have to defend its Copa América title in less than two years.

And also in the middle of 2024, if the qualification in the Pre-Olympic is achieved first, the Under 23 team could be playing the Olympic Games in Paris, the city where Messi currently resides, reinforced by some over 23 years of age.

The Albiceleste star, Messi, who shone like never before at the 2022 World Cup should still be at a commanding level by the time those events roll around, even though the 2026 World Cup still seems far off on the calendar.