“I would have left the national team” – Lionel Messi says he would have retired if Argentina had not won the FIFA World Cup 2022

Argentina’s talisman Lionel Messi has revealed that he would have retired from the national team if they had not won the FIFA World Cup. Messi said he wanted to play as a World Cup champion and thus decided to carry on playing for the La Albiceleste.

Messi went to fulfill his dream as he won the World Cup after Argentina defeated France on penalties. La Pulga had a great run in FIFA World Cup 2022, scoring seven goals and providing three assists. He also scored a goal and provided an assist in the all-important semi-final against Croatia. Messi then scored a brace against France in the final and took his team to glory.

Speaking to the Big Time Podcast, “Surely if things would not have happened the way they did at the World Cup, I would have left the national team.”

“I want to keep experiencing a few more matches as world champion. I was lucky to clinch every title in my career, this was the only one missing. I want to take this one there [to Argentina] and enjoy it with everybody else.”

As he has already confirmed, Messi added he has no plans of playing in the next World Cup for Argentina. The linchpin also opened up about his retirement plans.

“I haven’t thought about it and I don’t want to think about it either. I want to continue enjoying what I do. I took an important step leaving Europe behind. I don’t want to think about the next step, I want to enjoy what I like most, which is playing. It’s a job that I love, I’m lucky.”

On playing the next World Cup, Messi said, “I think not. This was my last World Cup. I will see how things go, but in principle, no, I will not go to the next World Cup.”

Messi will be 39 in the next World Cup and it will be interesting to note how long he plays for the national team.