I’m Going Nowhere! – Messi Elongates International Career With Argentina

• Vows to play on with La Albiceleste teammates

Seventh time Ballon d’or winner, Lionel Messi says contrary to widely held opinion in the public space, he will not be quitting the national football team after captaining Argentina to victory at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

The decision not hang his international boots came shortly after he finally achieved the dream of lifting the World Cup on Sunday in Qatar as Argentina beat France to lift the trophy for a third time.

In the tension-soaked encounter, the Argentina captain scored twice for La Albiceleste as the exciting game finished 3-3 after extra-time and went all the way to penalties.

Messi then coolly converted his spot-kick as Argentina won the shoot-out 4-2 to be crowned world champions.

After the pulsating game, the captain went on to speak about what the future holds for him. He told TyC Sports; “No, I’m not going to retiring from the Argentina national team”, adding; “I want to continue playing as a champion.”

Confessing that there was this strong feeling he was going to win the tournament this time around, Messi said; “It’s crazy that it happened this way. I wanted it very much”.

He further told reporters; “I knew that God was going to give it to me. I had a feeling that it was going to be this way. It is now for me to enjoy the moment.

“Look at this cup, it’s beautiful. We suffered a lot but we made it. We can’t wait to be in Argentina and to see how crazy it’s going to be. This was the trophy I have wanted all of my life. This was my dream since childhood.”

Before the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Messi had said the tournament could ultimately be his final ever World Cup game for Argentina and he certainly bowed out in style.

However, it seems Argentina fans will be enjoying the 35-year-old legend a little while longer with the confirmation that hanging up his international boots is no longer being considered in the immediate.

So what is next on the plate for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward? For now, the World Cup winner is due to return to the Paris-based side to continue prosecuting the Ligue 1 after the tournament.