PSG and Argentine star Lionel Messi has confirmed that the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be the last of his playing career. The 35-year-old has competed at four previous editions of the tournament and is yet to taste a triumph in the competition, but perhaps he can bring an end to that drought this time around.

Messi has enjoyed something of an up-and-down time of it during his previous World Cup exploits. He led Argentina to the final in 2014 and has scored a total of six goals in 19 appearances. 

Argentina qualified for Qatar without losing a game but did finish behind arch-rivals Brazil in the South American qualification group, and Messi will be keen to finally win the tournament, and Lionel Scaloni’s squad is certainly capable of that feat.

Indeed it may well be the right football bet to place ahead of this year’s event, which takes place in November and December and not in its usual summer slot. 

Argentina is currently behind Brazil and France in the outright betting for the tournament, with most betting sites giving them odds in the region of 7/1, and the announcement from Messi may well add even more of an incentive for his teammates to go that extra mile in Qatar.

Messi confirmed his imminent retirement by stating;

“It’s my last World Cup, surely. I feel good physically; I was able to do a very good pre-season this year, which I couldn’t do last year. It was essential to get to where I am, with a good state of mind and a lot of hope,”

Before adding;

“There is anxiety and nerves about the World Cup,” “We can’t wait for it to start.” 

“We have reached a good moment, with a very well-equipped and very strong group, but anything can happen,” 

“All the games are very difficult. The favourites are not always the ones who end up winning or taking the path that one expected,” he continued.

“Argentina is always a candidate because of its history and what it means. But we are not the only favourites; there are other teams that are above us.” 

Argentina kicks off their campaign against Saudi Arabia on the 22nd of November before taking on Mexico and Poland in their group stage games. 

Messi, who holds Argentina’s record for most caps and international goals, is into his second season at PSG and has scored eight goals in 13 matches thus far, and his side sits top of the table in France and of their Champions League group.

Argentina’s national team set-up still retains experienced pillars like Messi, Angel Di Maria, and Nicolas Otamendi and has a number of other world-class solid performers such as Paulo Dybala, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero and Julian Alvarez, and they will be a difficult team to overcome at the finals.