FIFA World Cup 2022: Lionel Messi takes U-TURN on decision to RETIRE after leading Argentina to win

Lionel Messi is not ready to walk away from Argentina yet, despite ending his pursuit of a World Cup winner’s medal. The football great secured the one major trophy that has eluded him in his storied career as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties in the final at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.

The match finished 3-3 through extra time with Messi scoring twice and converting his penalty in the shootout. At 35, this is likely his last appearance in soccer's biggest tournament, but he confirmed after the match that he intends to play on.

“Obviously, I wanted to complete my career with this, (I) can’t ask for more,” Messi said. “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 soccer, what I do. I enjoy being part of the national team, the group. I want to enjoy a couple of more matches being a world champion.”

Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award for the best player in the world on seven occasions. He has also won the Champions League four times with former club Barcelona, but the World Cup is the biggest prize in the sport.

“If he wants to keep playing, he can be with us, he is more than entitled to decide if he wants to stay with us,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “It’s a huge pleasure to coach him, everything that he transmits to his team is unparalleled. It’s something I've never seen before.”

Lionel Messi with his family. pic.twitter.com/P6NVEz3Rwg — Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) December 18, 2022

Messi put Argentina ahead from the penalty spot and played a part in Angel Di Maria’s goal that made it 2-0 after 36 minutes. Mbappe scored two goals in a 97-second span to take the game to extra time.

Messi put Argentina back in front in the 108th minute, but Mbappe’s penalty in the 118th saw the Paris Saint-Germain star complete the first hat trick in a World Cup final in 56 years.

“It’s just crazy that it became a reality this way. I craved for this so much. I knew God would bring this gift to me, I had the feeling that this (World Cup) was the one,” Messi said.

After the World Cup, Messi has 1,003 professional games as compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 1,145. The total goals scored by Messi stands at 793 while Ronaldo is at 819. When it comes to international football, Messi is two short of the century mark while Ronaldo leads the way with 118 so far.

Ballon d’Or Awards

Messi: 7 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021)

Ronaldo: 5 (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)

International Golden Boots

Messi: 1 (2021 Copa América)

Ronaldo: 2 (2019 UEFA Nations League, 2020 European Championship)

International Golden Balls

Messi: 4 (2014 World Cup, 2015 Copa América, 2021 Copa América, 2022 FIFA World Cup)

Ronaldo: 0

UEFA Champions League Titles

Messi: 4 (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015 with Barcelona)

Ronaldo: 5 (2008 with Manchester United; 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 with Real Madrid)

World Cups

Messi: 1 (2022 FIFA World Cup)

Ronaldo: 0