BEIJING (Reuters) - Argentina skipper Lionel Messi has said that 'in principle' last year's World Cup would be his fifth and final appearance at global soccer's showpiece event.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - OGC Nice v Paris St Germain - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - April 8, 2023 Paris St Germain's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File Photo
The 35-year-old forward led his country to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar last December, saying throughout the tournament that he would not be playing at another edition. "I think not. This was my last World Cup," Messi told Titan Sports ahead of Argentina's friendly against Australia in Beijing.The seven-times Ballon d'Or winner, who recently announced a move from Paris St Germain to Inter Miami in the United States, also paid tribute to his former coach at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola.
"I talk a lot with Pep as we still maintain frequent contact. I am very happy about his achievement, winning the recent UEFA Champions League," Messi told the Chinese sports paper in an interview.
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