Lionel Messi shuts down retirement rumours as he wants 'to keep playing as World Cup champion'

Lionel Messi has responded to rumours that the World Cup final was to be his final game in international football.

The 35-year-old had outlined his intentions to make the Qatar tournament his last World Cup in his career, however, is keen to play on for a ‘few more games’.

The Argentinian finally fulfilled his career dream of lifting the World Cup trophy for his nation, in a moment that will live on in football history.

It was a stunning final against France that saw the scores tied at 3-3 after extra time, with Messi bagging a brace.

Argentina triumphed 4-2 on penalties, and whilst many felt this would be the perfect international swansong for Messi, he’s not done just yet.

He emphatically shut down rumours of international retirement in a post-match interview.

He said: “No, I’m not going to retire from the national team.

“I want to keep playing as World Cup champions in the Argentina shirt.”

If Messi is to play on until the 2026 World Cup in North America he will be 39 years of age.

However, with his latest triumph, the boy from Rosario has finally lifted the one trophy that had eluded him in his illustrious career.

And as he puts it, he no longer needs any further success to make his football journey complete.

He continued: “It's anyone's childhood dream.

“I was lucky to have achieved almost everything — and what I was missing is here.

“This was the trophy I wanted all my life. This was my childhood dream.

Lionel Messi: “No, I’m NOT gonna retire from the national team. I want to keep playing as World Cup champions with Argentina shirt”, tells TyC Sports. ⭐️🇦🇷 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/Nd9KGboZgG

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 18, 2022

“It’s madness. It’s the most beautiful thing there is. Look how she is, she’s gorgeous. I wanted her so much. I had a vision this would be the one. She was getting closer.

“It’s crazy it happened this way. I knew God was going to give it to me. It’s simply unbelievable. It’s a big joy for us.

“We suffered a lot but we got it. I wanted to close my career with World Cup. I can’t ask for more than this. Thank god, he gave me everything.

“But I love football and I want to continue living a few more games being world champion."

The Argentinian number 10 certainly deserves to live out a few more international games as a world champion.

Messi capped off a fantastic tournament with two goals in the final and a successfully converted penalty in the shootout.

It took his goal tally to seven goals throughout the tournament, one behind eventual Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe.

The little magician took home his second World Cup Golden Ball.