Messi Opts Against International Retirement After Securing World Cup Glory
Lionel Messi has indicated he will continue playing for Argentina after leading them to their third FIFA World Cup title.
Messi scored twice in the 3-3 draw against France before Albiceleste triumphed in the ensuing penalty shootout.
His seven goals and three assists earned him the player of the tournament award for a second time, with his first coming in 2014.
Messi is a veteran of five World Cups and he has already indicated that Qatar 2022 was going to be his last appearance at FIFA's flagship tournament.
The 35-year-old will however not retire from international duty imminently as he looks to add to his 98 goals and 172 appearances for Argentina.
"No, I'm not going to retiring from the Argentina national team," he told TyC Sports.
"I want to continue playing as a champion."
"It's crazy that it happened this way. I wanted it very much," he told reporters. "I knew that God was going to give it to me, I had a feeling that it was going to be this way. Now to enjoy. Look at this cup, it's beautiful. We suffered a lot but we made it. We can't wait to be in Argentina and to see how crazy it's going to be. This was the trophy I have wanted all of my life. This was my dream since childhood."
