'Last Dance' is Not Over... Messi "I Will Not Retire from the National Team"

Messi "I Desperately Wanted to Win"
"I Will Continue My Experience as a World Champion"

The Argentina national football team, including Messi and his teammates, cheering while holding the World Cup winning trophy. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] Argentina national soccer team player Lionel Messi has finally lifted the World Cup trophy. This World Cup was called Messi's final stage, but Messi expressed his intention to continue playing for the national team.

On the 19th (Korean time), Argentina drew 3-3 with France in the 2022 Qatar World Cup final held at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, but won 4-2 in the penalty shootout.

World Cup Victory After Five Attempts

Messi scored two goals that day, ranking second in goals with 7 and tied for first in assists with 3. He also maintained a total of 13 World Cup goals, placing him joint 4th in this category alongside France's Just Fontaine.

With this, Messi has finally overcome the frustration of lacking only the World Cup trophy after five attempts since the 2006 Germany tournament. With this victory, Messi became the first player to achieve the quadruple crown of the World Cup, UEFA Champions League (UCL), Ballon d'Or, and the Olympics.

I will not retire from the Argentina national team

After the match, he expressed his joy in an interview with his country's broadcast, saying, "I will not retire from the Argentina national team, and I want to continue experiencing playing as a world champion," and "It is crazy that this victory has come. I really wanted this."

Meanwhile, since Messi will be approaching forty in four years, it was widely speculated that this World Cup would be his 'Last Dance.' There were also opinions that even if he participated in the World Cup, it would be difficult to demonstrate his prime form. However, he stated that this is not completely the end for now.

He said, "This is the trophy I have wanted all my life. It was a dream since I was young," and "We went through a lot of pain, but we made it." He added, "I will not retire from the Argentina national team," and "I want to continue experiencing playing as a world champion."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.