Lionel Messi’s career seemed to be over after leading Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup, but the motivation to continue playing is still there for him and his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the two prepare to make history at this year’s championship in North America.
This will be the last dance for Messi and Ronaldo, who will be the first players to appear in six different World Cups, 20 years after playing for the first time in those finals.
Since then they have become reserves beyond the football field, two of the most recognizable figures in the world as they enter middle age and contemplate retirement.
Messi seemed to hint that there would be no point in continuing after being Argentina’s captain and winning over Qatar.
“Obviously, I wanted to finish my football with this. I can’t ask for more,” he said after leading Lionel Scaloni’s men to victory over France in a penalty shootout in the World Cup final in Doha.
“My career is coming to an end because these are my last years. What else can there be after this?”
