Lionel Messi is set for one final bow at the FIFA World Cup as Argentina seek to be crowned champions of the world for the first time since 1986.
After four World Cup heartbreaks, Messi prepares for what is likely to be his closing act at the most prestigious sporting showpiece. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has won almost every major honour on offer, but there is just one title which eludes the 35-year-old: the magnificent golden trophy raised aloft by the world champions.
Following an emotional departure from boyhood club Barcelona in summer 2021, the Argentine is now 18 months into his chapter with Paris St-Germain and his second season in the French capital has proven far more fruitful than a frustrating debut campaign with the Parisians.
Messi has registered 11 goals and 14 assists for PSG in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. In 2021/22 he mustered an identical tally throughout the entire season.
He has struck up an electric partnership with fellow superstars Kylian Mbappé (France) and Neymar (Brazil) as one of the most potent attacking trios in world football, and all three contingents have been in free-scoring form leading up to the World Cup.
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Messi’s legendary status is already cemented in football folklore although there is little doubt he will be looking to further solidify his place among the sport’s most coveted stars. He has bagged 90 goals in 164 appearances for Argentina, 34 goals more than compatriot Gabriel Batistuta.
Messi and Argentina came agonisingly close in Brazil 2014, narrowly losing in the final to a 113th minute winner by Germany substitute Mario Götze. Messi, however, didn’t walk away empty-handed after picking up the Golden Ball, awarded to the best player at the tournament.
At the last edition four years ago, Argentina bowed out to eventual winners France in the last-16. This was the nation’s worst World Cup return since crashing out from the groups in 2002.
Earlier in Messi’s illustrious career, La Albiceleste were knocked out of by hosts Germany in the quarter-finals in 2006. Four years later in South Africa, manager Diego Maradona could only lead his nation to the quarters, again a losing effort to bronze-medallists Germany.
As mentioned, Qatar 2022 will be a last World Cup hurrah for Messi and hence it is now or never for Argentina to go all out for its most promising player to taste World Cup glory. La Albiceleste were last crowned world champions in 1986 courtesy of Maradona’s stewardship and this coming tournament will be the first since the icon’s passing in November 2020.
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After years of failing to get his hands on a trophy with his country, last year Messi saw off the prospect of ending his playing career without an international winner’s medal. Argentina were crowned champions of South America for the first time since 1993, as they beat neighbours and rivals Brazil in the Copa América final.
Earlier this year Argentina beat European champions Italy in La Finalissima, as Messi claimed a second international title within a span of 12 months. Now the Argentine skipper and talisman is looking to add an elusive World Cup title to the mantelpiece.
Argentina will arrive in Qatar as Copa América reigning champions for the first time since 1994, while the World Cup has not seen the hands of a South American winner since Brazil in 2002.
Under current manager Lionel Scaloni, Argentina are 35 matches unbeaten – winning 25 and drawing 10 since they last tasted defeat. La Albiceleste have scored almost four times as many goals as they conceded in those 35 games (69:18) and they were last on the losing side at Copa 2019.
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Will Lionel Messi lead Argentina to glory? pic.twitter.com/2WgBDJ7Pig
Messi is one of seven players that represented Argentina at the 2018 World Cup, while he and Angel dí Maria are the only survivors from their nation’s squad that took to the 2014 edition. The 26-man squad selected this time around by Scaloni is one that oozes quality in all areas of the pitch.
At the back, there are a handful of players who are currently playing – or have previously played – for top clubs in Europe. Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester Utd), and Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica, formerly Man City) are all in the mix, while Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) is likely to retain his place in goal.
Moving towards the centre of the park, Argentina also possess richly talented midfield players who ply their trade in Europe’s best leagues. The likes of Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico Madrid), Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Enzo Fernandez (Benfica), and Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton) are all fantastic options for head coach Scaloni.
La Albiceleste are not shy of attacking options, with their star man Messi set to lead his nation from the top end of the pitch. His support system is by no means shabby, with seasoned professionals including Dí Maria (Juventus) and Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan). Paulo Dybala (Roma) has been selected for the World Cup despite a hamstring injury keeping him out of action for the past month.
Bet365 have Argentina as second-favourites to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with odds of 6.50; Messi is the joint-favourite (11.00) to scoop the Golden Ball, and 13.00 to claim the Golden Boot (top goalscorer).
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