After a historic World Cup win, Lionel Messi confirmed that he will stay with Argentina. Earlier, the World Cup-winning captain revealed that this edition of the World Cup will be his “last one”. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain president claims they are in talks regarding Messi’s future with the club amid links to MLS move. Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties to clinch their third world soccer title.
“I want to keep experiencing a few more matches as world champion,” the 35-year-old told local news. “I was lucky to clinch every title in my career, this was the only one missing,” he added. “I want to take this one there [to Argentina] and enjoy it with everybody else.” The six-time Ballon d’Or winner netted twice and converted a penalty to help the South American giants lift their first title since 1986.
This year’s edition of the World Cup was Messi’s fifth appearance in the tournament since his international debut in 2005, where he won a total of 172 caps for Argentina and become the country’s all-time record scorer with 98 goals. He scored 7 goals in Qatar, tallying to a total of 13 goals in 26 matches at the football World Cup, the highest goal-scorer for Argentina at the tournament.
The next World Cup will be in 2026, and Argentina will try to defend the title. Messi will be 39-year-old by that time. The next major tournament that Messi could see while waiting for the World Cup is the 2024 Copa America, where he was named as the Best Player of the Tournament after his side won its most recent edition. More football league trophy updates and fixtures here.
Meanwhile, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who was in attendance during Messi’s glorious moments in the World Cup, claimed that they are already in talks regarding Messi’s future with the French club. “I don’t want to say anything about Leo, we have an agreement to talk after the World Cup,” he told reporters. Messi’s contract at Parc des Frances will expire at the end of the current season.
However, reports claim that he is set to stay in the French capital until at least the end of the 2023/24 season following a verbal agreement. Messi won four Champions League at Barcelona before moving to PSG. He has scored 11 goals and notched 14 assists in 18 Ligue 1 and Champions League games for PSG so far. Messi will return to action in a club game against Strasbourg on December 28.
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