Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi set to call it quits, with the FIFA World Cup Final marked as his supposed last game representing his national team.
In an unprecedented turn of events, Argentina, the two-time World Cup champions, have advanced to the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The South American powerhouse will face either Morocco or France, the current World Cup holders, in the highly anticipated final set to take place at the Lusail Arena on Sunday.
Lionel Messi, the team's captain and one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been instrumental in Argentina's journey. He reportedly told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole that he feels grateful to have achieved this and to finish his World Cup journey by playing his last game in a final.
Messi has been through hard and good scenarios in the World Cup, but his leadership and skill have shone brightest in the semi-final victory over Croatia. He scored one goal and set up another in Argentina's 3-0 win, bringing his World Cup tally to 11 goals, making him Argentina's leading goalscorer in the tournament. This performance also saw him surpass Gabriel Batistuta's record of 10 World Cup goals for Argentina.
Argentina's road to the final has not been without its challenges. Doubts crept in after their opening team game, a surprising 1-2 loss to outsiders Saudi Arabia. However, since then, Argentina has been unbeaten in 36 matches, including their victories over Poland, Mexico, and the Netherlands in the knockout stages.
The team came to Qatar as one of the event favourites, and their journey in the World Cup has included both hard and good scenarios. Messi urged his teammates to enjoy the celebration after the semi-final victory, stating, "Argentina are, once again, World Cup final. Enjoy it!"
Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez has also contributed to Argentina's success, scoring two goals in the tournament, bringing his total to four.
If Argentina defeats Morocco or France, their opponent in the final will be France, as Argentina won the final against France in a penalty shootout, securing their third title in 1986. However, Messi has confirmed that this will be his last game for Argentina, making the final a poignant and emotional moment for both him and the team.
As the World Cup final approaches, the anticipation is palpable. Regardless of who Argentina faces, one thing is certain - Messi and Argentina are experiencing something magnificent in the World Cup.
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