Lionel Messi is reaching the end of his World Cup road. On Thursday, the Argentine icon told Star Plus that next month’s tournament in Qatar will be the last of his celebrated career.
At 35, Messi choosing not to hold out for the 2026 World Cup comes as little surprise. But the announcement further cements the idea that this year’s tournament will mark the end of an era. In addition to Messi, Qatar 2022 will probably be the last World Cup for fellow megastars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar , and could be the finale for several more marquee names.
Like Messi, Ronaldo is simply running out of time. Two years older than Messi, the Manchester United forward is likely to bow out of the world’s biggest competition at the same time. The two players have been compared and contrasted throughout their sterling careers, with both making their World Cup debuts in 2006. Neither has lifted a World Cup trophy, but Ronaldo captured the Euro 2016 title and Messi won the Copa America last year.
“I often go on holidays there, to Qatar as well as Dubai. I am happy because for sure it will be last international tournament.”that he hopes to represent Portugal in Qatar and the 2024 European Championship.