Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced Qatar 2022 will "surely" be his last World Cup in a strong hint that his retirement from international football is near.
The superstar forward, 35, will turn 39 during the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by Canada, the United States of America and Mexico. Messi holds the Argentine records for caps (164) as well as goals (90) and ended his agonising wait for a major trophy on the international stage with victory over Brazil in last year's Copa America final.
Paris Saint-German's Messi is aiming to build on this success in Qatar this winter and Argentina - who are 35 games unbeaten - will head to the Middle East with strong claims. La Albiceleste suffered a painful defeat by Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, and Mess has confirmed this year's tournament will be his fifth and final chance to win the tournament for the first time since 1986.
