Lionel Messi opens up on last World Cup appearance

Lionel Messi has confirmed that the World Cup in Qatar next month will be the last of his career. The 35-year-old Argentina star will play in his fifth World Cup but is still seeking his first title at the showpiece tournament.

“There’s some anxiety and nerves at the same time … it is the last one,” Messi said in an interview with Star Plus.

It is the first time the Paris Saint-Germain striker has spoken openly about his future after the tournament, which starts on 20 November. Messi did not make it clear whether he would retire from the national team after Qatar.

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Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986. The team will open their tournament on 22 November against Saudi Arabia in Group C before facing Mexico and Poland.

“I don’t know whether we are big favourites, but I believe Argentina is a candidate because of its history, which means even more now because of the way we got here,” Messi said. “But in a World Cup anything can happen, all the matches are very difficult. It isn’t always the favourites who win it.”

Meanwhile, lionel Messi will sit out Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 clash with Reims on Saturday, the defending French champions have confirmed. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was forced off in the Champions League tie with Benfica on Wednesday after picking up a knock. He had opened the scoring in that contest with another wonderfully-taken finish, but will find himself stuck on the sidelines when PSG return to domestic action.