The world watched with contentment as Lionel Messi lifted the FIFA World Cup 2022, where the 36-year-old led his team to glory and won the Player of the Tournament award. Argentina’s number 10 was the focal point of attack, being directly involved in 10 goals (7 goals and 3 assists) in just 7 games.
The seven times Ballon d’Or winner’s international journey has been far from happy and jolly, as the highly successful player has seen ups and downs throughout his international career. The Argentine forward lost consecutive Copa-America finals in 2015 & 2016 against Chile on penalties and also missed out on lifting the World Cup trophy in 2014. Argentina struggled to win a major trophy with Messi till 2021 when they beat Brazil and lifted the Copa America trophy.
Argentina’s World Cup win changed Lionel Messi’s retirement plans
Mario Götze’s solitary goal in the second half of extra time was enough to deny Messi & Argentina in 2014, as an unstoppable Germany lifted the World Cup trophy. In the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Argentina bowed to eventual winners France in a 4-3 classic in the Round of 16.
In 2022, however, fate was in Messi’s favor as Argentina beat France on penalties, thwarting Kylian Mbappe’s fantastic hat-trick to win their first World Cup since 1986.
Lionel Messi was thinking of retiring from International football if Argentina did not end up on the winning end of the World Cup. “I enjoyed it like never before,” said Lionel Messi while admitting that the 2022 World Cup was his shot at reaching the pinnacle of World Football. Messi had incredible, unwavering support from his Argentine teammates, who rallied themselves at their leader’s commands.
Messi would have retired from international football if Argentina hadn't won the World Cup 🏆🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/UMdgNMpDUM
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 14, 2023
After winning the World Cup, Lionel Messi has started enjoying himself even more as an Argentine international. The 36-year-old is enjoying the passion after lifting the only trophy he missed from his elusive cabinet. The seven-times Ballon d’Or winner said he had full confidence in Argentina’s world cup squad which allowed him to enjoy the tournament even more.
The Argentine is now happy to seal his move to MLS club Inter Miami and looking forward to his new journey in the USA. Messi will be announced as an Inter-Miami player soon at the Club’s home ground. You can look at Messi’s interview here :
Lionel Messi once retired from international football before World Cup
Messi’s latest talk about his retirement has not been the first instance that the star man has talked about retiring from international soccer. After losing to Chile in 2016, Messi announced his retirement from international soccer. Messi missed a penalty in the Copa-America final against Chile, which acted as a catalyst in his decision at that time.
However, later that year he made a dramatic comeback stating that “love for his country is too great.” Messi also reasoned that there were certain problems in the management of the Argentine Federation. However, Messi will not fault his decision to make a comeback as the world champion stands at the pinnacle of world football.
What else do you think can the legendary Argentine achieve in his career? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments section.
