Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi has noted that the 2022 FIFA World Cup will “probably” be the last of his career.
Speaking during a pre-match press conference (via the official Twitter account for the Argentina national team) ahead of Argentina’s World Cup group stage matchup against Saudi Arabia, Messi took some time to open up on what it would mean to bring a World Cup trophy back home in what may be the last chance that he will have to achieve this goal.
“It will probably be my last World Cup, the last chance to achieve what we all want,” Messi said.
“It’s something beautiful that many people who are not Argentine want us to be champions. I am grateful for the love I received throughout my career.”
Messi is set to feature in his fifth career World Cup. The PSG forward last featured for Argentina in the World Cup in the 2018 edition of the tournament, where La Albiceleste crashed out in the round of 16 at the hands of the France national team.
Messi and Argentina head into the 2022 World Cup in promising form, having strung together a 36-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.
Argentina will open up its World Cup group stage schedule on Tuesday against Saudi Arabia, which will then be followed up by a clash with Mexico on Saturday.