World Cup

[monks data]

World Cup | Final

Dec 18, 2022 at 3pm UK

Lusail Iconic Stadium

Argentina
3 - 3
France

Messi (23' pen., 108'), di Maria (36')
Fernandez (45+7'), Acuna (90+8'), Paredes (114'), Montiel (116'), Martinez (126')

FT
(aet)

Mbappe (80' pen., 81', 118' pen.)
Rabiot (55'), Thuram (87'), Giroud (90+5')

Argentina win 4-2 on penalties

Lionel Messi rules out Argentina retirement following World Cup triumph

By Barney Corkhill, Editor

Published: December 18 2022 | 22:16

Last updated: December 18 2022 | 22:49

Messi rules out retirement following World Cup triumph

Argentina captain Lionel Messi rules out the prospect of retiring from international football after leading his team to World Cup glory.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has ruled out the possibility of retiring from international duty in the wake of his side's World Cup final victory over France.

Messi scored twice and also converted his penalty in the shootout as Argentina ended a 36-year wait to be crowned champions of the world once more.

The result saw Messi claim the only trophy missing from his cabinet, having won everything possible at club level in addition to the Copa America with his country last year.

The 35-year-old confirmed before the final that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would be his last, while there had been speculation that he might hang up his boots on the international stage after Sunday's game.

However, Messi has insisted that he will continue playing for his country for the foreseeable future.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal on December 18, 2022 © Reuters

"No, I'm not going to retire from the national team. I want to keep playing as World Cup champions with Argentina shirt," he told TyC Sports.

"It's simply unbelievable. I knew that God was going to give me the Cup, I was sure - it was a big joy for us. I had this big dream since long time, I wanted to close my career with World Cup. I can't ask more than this."

Messi narrowly missed out on the Golden Boot in Qatar to Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe, but took home the Golden Ball for best player - becoming the first person to win that award twice.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner netted seven times and provided three assists throughout the tournament, taking him up to 98 goals in 172 appearances for Argentina overall.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy and teammates after winning the World Cup on December 18, 2022 © Reuters

Messi will turn 39 during the next World Cup in North America, but Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has insisted that there will still be a place for him in the squad if he wants it.

"First of all, we need to save him a spot for the World Cup 2026. If he wants to keep playing, he will be with us," Scaloni told reporters.

"I think he is more than entitled to decide whether he wants to keep playing or what he wants to do with his career."

Messi has a career-best 18 goals in just 14 appearances for Argentina this calendar year, while his goals in the final against France saw him break a host of all-time World Cup records.