Will this be Messi’s last World Cup with Argentina? Will he retire from international soccer?

Team captain Lionel Messi hopes to lead Argentina to their first win in Qatar after they were upset by Saudi Arabia, in what he says is his last World Cup.

Soccer superstar Leo Messi will try to lead Argentina to victory against Mexico on Saturday after the stunning upset they suffered at the hands of Saudi Arabia in the opening round of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Argentina’s defeat put an end to their 36-game winning streak, and now they face elimination if they fail to beat Mexico.

Messi’s World Cup swan song

Messi will do his best to make sure the team survives, especially because he has said that this would be his last appearance at the tournament.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward had announced last month that Qatar 2022 would be his last World Cup. Speaking to journalist Sebastian Vignolo of the South American streaming service Star+, he said, “This will be my last World Cup for sure. The decision has been made.”

He did not say that he would be retiring from international competition completely, but it would be logical to consider that his announcement of retirement from the World Cup could signal the end to his international career as well.

Messi has delivered outstanding numbers for his country, with 184 caps and 90 goals, and a major international trophy when they defeated Brazil in last year’s Copa America final.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner would be turning 39 when the next World Cup is held in 2026.

“There’s some anxiety and nerves at the same time. It is the last one,” the 35-year-old admitted before this year’s tournament began. “In a World Cup, anything can happen. All the matches are very tough. The favorites don’t always end up winning… I think there are other teams that are above us.”

Argentina’s shock loss to Saudi Arabia was proof that one should expect the unexpected at the World Cup, and that the tables are so easily turned. Expect the star striker to pull out all the stops to secure a win over Mexico, so that he can avoid an unceremonious final exit from the sport’s most prestigious competition.