Lionel Messi Retirement: 'No, I'm Not Going To Retire' — Legendary Footballer Wants To Continue Playing For World Champions Argentina

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni hoped to have Messi around for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi lifts the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022.

Contrary to earlier reports which had suggested that star forward Lionel Messi will be playing his last game for Argentine in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, the Argentine has said that he would continue to don the white and sky blue colours after leading his team to FIFA World Cup 2022 triumph. 

"Obviously, I wanted to complete my career with this, (I) can’t ask for more," Messi told journalists after the game.

"Finishing my career this way is impressive. After this, what else? I have a Copa América, a World Cup. Almost at the very end," he added.

"No, I’m NOT gonna retire from the national team. I want to keep playing as World Cup champions with Argentina shirt," the 35-year-old told TyC Sports.

What happened in the final?

Notably, Messi scored a brace as Argentina beat France in the penalty shootout on Sunday to be crowned as the world champions. While Argentina were leading in the first 80 minutes by 2 goals to none, Kylian Mbappe converted a penalty before a sensational finish for a field goal to equalise for France.

It seemed like Messi has sealed the deal for Albiceleste when he scored his second goal in extra time after putting Argentina in the lead with a spot kick but Mbappe netted his third to complete a historic FIFA World Cup final hat-trick and kept France alive in the final.

In the penalty shootout though, Argentina came out as the better unit.

Need to save Messi for the next World Cup: Scaloni

In a statement driven perhaps by emotion after a historic win, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni hoped to see Messi around in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA and Canada.

“We need to save him for the next World Cup – 2026. If he wants to keep playing, he will be with us. He is more than entitled to decide what he wants to do with his career now,” said Scaloni.