Messi: “This year will definitely be my last World Cup”

Lionel Messi gave an interview to Qatar’s Star+ about the 2022 World Cup, which will be his last, as he has reiterated several times.

“Yes of course I do,” said the Argentine superstar, who made his debut in the top football competition in 2006 and reached the final in 2014 and was named tournament MVP.

“I feel in good physical shape because I had a good preparation this year that I didn’t have last year. In 2021 I started training late, I played without rhythm, I already started with the league and then I went to the national team. When I came back I had an injury and I never finished the pre-season. Then I got Covid and could never find a rhythm.

“I’m counting down the days until the World Cup. There’s a bit of stress and anxiety because I want it to happen now. I think we’ve qualified, what’s going to happen, it’s going to be my last, the way it’s going but on the other hand I can’t, I’m waiting for it to happen and I’m trying to cope.

Referring to the Argentina national team, the 35-year-old forward said: “We are in very good shape because everything was done as it should be. We have a very full and strong squad, but anything can happen at the World Cup. All games are difficult and that’s why a World Cup is something special. The favorites aren’t the ones who always end up winning or running the way everyone expects.”

“I don’t know if we’re the big favourites, but Argentina are always favorites because of their history, whatever that means, especially now with the situation we’re in. We’re not the favourites, I think other teams are above us”.