Argentina 2022 World Cup Champions Or Not, Lionel Messi Will Permanently Retire From The National Team

Argentine national team player and captain, Lionel Messi. (Photo: Twitter @Argentina)

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi confirmed the Qatar 2022 World Cup final will be his last international match with the Argentine national team. He revealed this to one of Argentina's local media.

La Pulga escorted Argentina to the final in Qatar by contributing one penalty goal and providing one assist in a 3-0 win against Croatia at the Lusail Stadium, Wednesday, December 14 this morning.

Many predict Messi will continue to play with Argentina if he loses in the final. However, that prediction is refuted.

"I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, complete my World Cup journey by playing my last game in the final," Messi told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole.

"It's still years for the next one and I don't think I'll be able to do it. And getting it done like this, that's for the best," added the Argentina captain.

The 35-year-old played his fifth World Cup this year. The record saw him surpass four appearances from Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano.

Messi also surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as Albiceleste's top scorer in the World Cup after his fifth goal last night. La Pulga's total has scored 11 goals or one more than Batistuta.

This will be Messi's last chance to lift the World Cup before retiring. Previously he had to settle for runner-up after losing to Germany in the 2014 edition of Brazil.

"Everything is good and good (record), but what's important is being able to achieve the goals of this team, which is the most beautiful of all," said Messi.

"We are just one step away, after fighting hard, and we will give everything to try to make it happen this time," he added.

Argentina will face Morocco or defending champions France in the final on 18 December. The two teams will win one final ticket remaining on Thursday morning.