Lionel Messi says FIFA World Cup 2022 final will be his last for Argentina, in pics

Lionel Messi enthralled the fans at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar during the team’s 3-0 win over Croatia to reach the final on Tuesday.

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Messi converted a penalty and had a hand in the other two goals by Julián Álvarez, leading Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia on Tuesday

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It will be Messi's second World Cup final — Argentina lost the other one to Germany in 2014 — in what might be his last appearance at the tournament

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Messi confirmed that he will retire after the FIFA World Cup 2022 final on December 18

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"I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final," Messi told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole

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"It's many years for the next one and I don't think I'll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it's the best," added the Argentina captain

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The 35-year-old is playing at his fifth World Cup, surpassing the four of Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano

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Messi became Argentina's record scorer at World Cups with his third penalty of the tournament taking him to 11 goals in total — one more than Gabriel Batistuta

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He also tied the record for most appearances at the World Cup by playing for the 25th time, the same number as Lothar Matthäus of Germany

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