Lionel Messi is not going to retire right away from global soccer after in any case capping an bizarre occupation with Argentina’s first World Cup since 1986, who prefer to absorb the honor for no less than some time longer.
On a dizzying night time in Lusail it appeared greater than as soon as that Messi might be denied the success of a lifelong dream on the 5th try. But he added to his two objectives and virtuoso all-round efficiency in law time with a penalty all through a a hit shootout towards France and later showed his 172nd cap was once now not his ultimate.
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“Obviously I wanted to complete my career with this – I can’t ask for more,” he mentioned. “Finishing my career this way is impressive. After this, what else? I have a Copa America, a World Cup, almost at the very end.
“I love football, what I do. I enjoy being part of the national team, the group. I want to enjoy a couple more matches being a world champion.”
Messi has previously claimed Qatar 2022 would be his last World Cup and there is no indication he will continue beyond the short-to-medium term. But his manager, Lionel Scaloni, made clear the door would be open in three and a half years’ time if he made himself available for the 2026 edition. Messi will turn 39 during that tournament, which will take place in the US, Canada and Mexico.
“We need to save him a spot for the [next] World Cup,” he mentioned. “If he wants to keep playing, he will be with us. He is more than entitled to decide if he wants to keep playing and what he wants to do with his career. It is such a huge pleasure to coach him. Everything he transmits to his teammates is something unparalleled that I have never seen before.”
Scaloni, who was visibly emotional at points of his post-match press conference, said positivity was key to Argentina’s recoveries when they were twice pulled back from the brink of victory. He also hailed the self-confidence of his goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, who saved Kingsley Coman’s spot kick.
“I told them we had to be optimistic, that is the main thing,” he said. “We knew if we played our game we were going to create chances, going on the attack. In the shootout it was the same thing, we had to remain calm [even though] before it we conceded another goal. Emiliano is a very positive guy and told his teammates he was going to save some penalties. We had so many players who were ready and willing to take them and it shows the trust we have.”
At instances Scaloni’s avid gamers appeared spurred through a supernatural fervour. “This squad played for the Argentina flag,” he mentioned. “Everyone is pulling for the entire nation. This is the best satisfaction. The avid gamers broke their backs as a result of they understood what they needed to do.”
Scaloni and Martínez admitted Argentina had “suffered”, although the goalkeeper said he had been “calm” when facing France’s penalties. Aurélien Tchouaméni also dragged a spot kick wide.
Argentina headed to an organized parade along Lusail Boulevard, adjacent to the venue of their success, two hours after full-time and Scaloni said he would be “open to what the avid gamers have to mention” about additional celebrations of their house nation, the place they’re sure to be won ecstatically.
