The celebrations for the third world title of the Argentines and their brilliant performance in the World Cup 2022 of their leader Lionel Messi will continue for a long time.
Appetite, as you know, comes with food. So Messi, after the triumphant final of the 2022 World Cup for himself and the Argentita team (a victory over France – 3: 3 and 4: 2 on penalties with a double from Leo himself), decided that it was too early to stop there. . Everyone was sure that the 35-year-old genius would say goodbye to the national team on Sunday, December 18, but the protagonist was quick to deny these rumors.
“It’s incredible. I knew that God would give me the World Cup, I was sure. For us, this is a great joy. This is my great dream. Of course, I wanted to end my career in this way, it was impossible to ask for the best. Thank God for everything. What will happen next? I was able to win the Copa América, the World Cup, and all of that happened almost at the end of my career. But I love soccer. I like playing for the national team, being in this team. I want to experiment what it is to play like a world champion”, Messi said after the final match.
At the next World Cup, which will take place in 2026 in three countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada, Lionel will be 39 years old (his birthday is June 24). The age for great football is critical. Although there are cases when famous football players continued to play in the national team and benefited from it, moving to the category of over 39 years.
Examples of the Cameroonian Roger Milla, the Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Portuguese Pepe or the Brazilian Dani Alves are in front of us. And yet there is no point in thinking that far. Serious injuries have bypassed the great Argentine thus far, but the example of Cristiano Ronaldo, abruptly passing at 37, has you worried about Messi’s prospects of reaching the next World Cup.
However, before the 2026 World Cup, there will still be 2024 Copa América in Ecuador. And before this tournament, Leo will almost certainly be able to play at a high level. It is significant that in the final it was enough for 120 minutes, including extra time, and if you add all the stoppage time, then for all 135. Moreover, Messi not only ran to the end, but scored the most important goal in the 109th. . minute.
Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni does not rule out Leo playing in the 2026 World Cup.
“Now I think we can leave him a place in the national team in the next World Cup. Does matters? It’s important to keep the number 10 for him if you want to continue his career to that point. He definitely deserved the right to choose what to do with his football destiny and with the Argentine team. He has no special privileges on the team. Yes, even if they were (although this never happened under me), it was always a pleasure for me to coach him and his teammates. I have never seen anyone else have as much of an impact on his team as Messi does. This is unbelievable!” said Scaloni, 44, who was the youngest coach at the 2022 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Messi collects numerous compliments directed at him. They come not only from Argentina, but from all over the world, even from the camp of the eternal rivals.
The world champion of 1994 and 2002 as part of the Brazilian national team Ronaldo reacted to the victory of the albiceleste.
“Soccer of this type corners any rival. I saw many Brazilians and other people from all over the world cheering for Messi in this exciting final. It was a farewell fit for a genius. He was not only the star of the World Cup, but also the captain of an entire era. Congratulations Messi! — Ronaldo wrote on social media.
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, congratulated Argentina on its victory over France.
“Argentina! What a final you gave us, a game in which you gave your heart and soul. We are happy and proud that the World Cup is back in South America. I’m sure my friend Diego is celebrating with us. Congratulations!” Maduro wrote on the social network.
Uruguayan Luis Suárez, who played with Messi at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, also congratulated his friend.
“Congrats friend! You are the world champion. Let them say what they want, you are and will be the best”.
She was not oblivious to the messages from the wife of the leader of the Argentines.
“I don’t even know where to start… We are so proud of you, Leo! Thank you for teaching us to never give up and always fight until the end. Finally, you are the world champion! We know that you suffered for so many years, you wanted so badly to achieve this! wrote Antonella Roccuzzo.
Andrei Arshavin believes that the question “Who is the best in history?” flow to another plane. If earlier Messi was compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, now this dispute is resolved. The Argentinian went far ahead, while the Portuguese did not get the championship.
“It was a great game. Messi interrupted everything. Now he will compete with Pelé and Maradona, who is the best player in history,” said the former player of the Russian team, recalls our partner publication Playmaker.
Ronaldo himself has remained silent until now. Although many expected him to step on pride’s neck and pay tribute to his great rival after such a triumphant championship. But…
