The 2022 FIFA World will mark the last tournament for Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi. As a result, the Argentina national team wants to provide the 35-year-old a storybook ending by having him lift the trophy that has long eluded his career.
Ahead of the World Cup next month, Messi spoke with Argentine media outlet DirecTV, where the veteran forward spoke about how he views the South American nation’s chances of being the last team standing at the end.
“For us, it’s hard to stay calm. Argentines, we always think we’re the best, that we’re candidates for the title, and many times it didn’t happen that way,” Messi said. “But today We are in a good moment today, so people are already hoping and thinking that we will come back with the cup.”
“There are a lot of national teams in our case. But there is hope because we are in a good moment as a national team, as a group. We will fight. We are not afraid of anyone, we are ready to play anyone.”
Messi con @giraltpablo sobre el Mundial: "Vamos a ir a pelear. No le tenemos miedo a nadie."
No te pierdas esta charla en @DIRECTVSports y @DIRECTVGO. pic.twitter.com/s1j3N66AKR
— Futbol Total DIRECTV (@DTVTotal) October 21, 2022
In 2021, Argentina came away with the Copa America, the first international trophy for Messi, and the team qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup without much of a struggle.
Argentina will be kicking off the competition in Group C, where they will play Mexico, Poland, and Saudi Arabia in hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Despite many having Messi and his national team as the favorite, the former Barcelona star views other countries who could lift the trophy in the end. Nonetheless, many who don’t have a country to root for will be pulling for the PSG forward.
