Lionel Messi isn’t ready to hang up the boots just yet.
Following Argentina’s epic World Cup title win, the soccer star has spoken with the country’s TyC Sports, clarifying his plans:
“I love what I do, being in the national team, and I want to continue experiencing a few more matches as world champion,” he tells the media outlet in Spanish.
Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni also said in a news conference post-match the team would “save him a spot” for the next World Cup.
“If he wants to keep playing, he will be with us. I think he is more than entitled to decided whether he wants to keep playing or what he wants to do with his career. ”
Messi’s decision to keep going is a reversal of his sentiments following Argentina’s 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia last week, where he had said Qatar would be his last World Cup:
“I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final. To play the last game in a final. That is really very gratifying,” he told media at the time.
“Everything I lived in this World Cup has been emotional, seeing how much it has been enjoyed in Argentina. There are a lot years from this year to the next one. I don’t think I will be able to do that. To finish this way is brilliant.”
Argentina won the final against France in a thrilling penalty shootout.
(Feature Image Credit: Andre_MA/Shutterstock)
