Messi: "That was my last World Cup. I won't go to the next"

Leo Messi finally managed to secure the ultimate trophy after he won the World Cup in Qatar in December with Argentina. The team beat France on penalties in a tense and action-packed final that saw French star Kylian Mbappe score a hat-trick.

But having secured the last great honour that had escaped him, Argentina's captain announced on Tuesday that he did not feel the need to try and repeat the achievement in 2026.

When asked about a return by Chinese outlet 'Titan Sports', he declared, "I don't think so. This was my last World Cup. I'll see how things go, but in principle, no, I won't go to the next World Cup".

Messi is in China with the Argentina national team, reigning world champions, where he will play his last two friendlies before the qualifiers for the World Cup, against Australia in Beijing next Thursday, and against Indonesia in Jakarta on the 19th.

The duel between the 'Albiceleste' and the Socceroos will be a repeat of the clash they had last December 3 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan in the round of 16 of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, in which Lionel Scaloni's team won 2-1 with goals by Messi and Julian Alvarez.

Messi discussed the Champions League final won by Manchester City, and said he watched it despite the time difference, and affirmed that Pep Guardiola, with whom he is in "frequent contact", has shown that "he is the best coach in the world" after securing another UCL title and the second treble of his coaching career.

 

June 13, 2023