FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022|#World Cup|#FIFA World Cup Final Will Be His Last Game |#Lionel Messi To Retire,|#Argentina 3-0 Croatia match

Lionel Messi To Retire, FIFA World Cup Final Will Be His Last Game For Argentina:

Lionel Messi has reportedly confirmed that the 2022 FIFA World Cup final will be his last game for Argentina. Messi was on target from the penalty spot, and also set up the third goal as Argentina defeated Croatia 3-0 in the first semi-final on Wednesday. Messi, who has scored five goals in the tournament so far, also became Argentina's leading goalscorer in World Cups, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta (10) on the list. The 35-year-old has 11 World Cup goals to his name so far.  

"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 reportedly told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole.

"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," he added.

After the semi-final win over Croatia, Messi urged his teammates to "enjoy" the occasion.

"Argentina are, once again, in the World Cup final. Enjoy it!" said Messi.

"We've been through tough situations, other very good ones. Today we're experiencing something spectacular."

Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez scored twice to take his tally of goals in the tournament to four in as many games.

Argentina arrived in Qatar as one of the tournament favourites but doubts crept in after they lost their opening group game 1-2 against outsiders Saudi Arabia. They were unbeaten in 36 matches before arriving in Doha.

The two-time champions will now take on either Morocco or holders France in the final, which will be played at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.

Argentina 3-0 Croatia

1

Messi is now the top-scorer (male) for Argentina in World Cups, moving past Gabriel Batistuta's record of 10 goals, after notching his 11th career World Cup goal against Croatia. He's now joint-sixth in the all time scoring charts in World Cup History: Miroslav Klose (16), Ronaldo Nazario (15), Gerd Müller (14), Just Fontaine (13), Pelé (12) have more, while Messi ties Jürgen Klinsmann and Sandor Kocsis (11).

5

35-year-old Lionel Messi is the oldest man to score five goals in a single FIFA World Cup campaign.

25

Lionel Messi made his 25th World Cup appearance against Croatia, tying German legend Lothar Matthäus for the most World Cup appearances by a male player. He will surpass him if he features in the final on Sunday.

16

Messi scored his sixteenth goal for Argentina in 2022, the most he's achieved in any calendar year for his nation. His next-best years came in 2012 (12) and 2021 (9). With six assists so far, his 22 goal contributions for Argentina this year are 8 more than in any other calendar year for Argentina

1

Messi is the first male player ever to score and assist in three different games of a single World Cup edition since 1966. He is also the first player with a goal and an assist in consecutive knockout stage matches since 1966 (West Germany's Helmut Haller in QF & SF).

1

Messi leads the way in multiple categories in this World Cup: Goals (5), Assists (3), Shots (27), Shots on target (14), Expected goals (4.75), Chances created (18), Fouls drawn (20), Open-play chances created (14), Take-ons (36). He also has the most Man-of-the-Match awards (4).

 

3

Messi has scored in all three of Argentina's knockout games in Qatar. He had never scored a knockout-round goal in any of his four previous World Cups.

19

Messi (11 goals, 8 assists) has the most goal involvements in a World Cup (since 1966), joining Miroslav Klose (16 goals, 3 assists), Ronaldo Nazario (15 goals, 4 assists) and Gerd Müller (14 goals, 5 assists).

13

Since the 1966 edition, no player has scored or assisted in more different World Cup matches than Lionel Messi (13 - level with Ronaldo)

 

4

Julian Alvarez scored his fourth goal in this World Cup, tied with Gonzalo Higuain (in the 2010 edition) for the most for any Argentina men's player in a single World Cup aged 22 or younger.

5

Argentina are the fifth team to reach a World Cup final after losing their first game (1-2 vs Saudi Arabia). Only one of those teams went on to win the World Cup - Spain in 2010.