Lionel Messi 'very happy' that last World Cup game for Argentina will be in the final

Argentinian maestro Lionel Messi says he is ‘very happy’ to be finishing his World Cup journey in the final.

The 35-year-old has arguably been the best player of the tournament in what was pencilled in to be his final World Cup of his career.

He has claimed four Man of the Match accolades throughout the lead up to the final, and was again on form helping Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 in the semi final.

A tantalising final against Kylian Mbappe’s France could see one of football’s greatest of all time finally take home the ultimate prize in all of football.

A win could also guarantee the PSG player takes home the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament trophies.

They’re two accolades he is also contesting with his fellow Paris teammate Mbappe.

He told reporters, via Sky Sports: “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.

"Everything I lived in this World Cup has been emotional, seeing how much it has been enjoyed in Argentina.

"There are a lot of 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."

The former Barcelona man also downplayed any fears that he could miss the final.

He continued: “I feel really good, I feel strong and ready to play each game.

"It's not easy as we arrived tired but the group gained strength again and we played a strong game. I am enjoying this a lot. I feel very happy in this World Cup and I am able to help the squad.

"Every match since then has been a final and we have now won five finals in a row. I hope this will also be the case on Sunday."

A victory in the final would be a befitting end to Messi’s international career.

However, he’s already solidified his position as one of the greats, with club success and a Copa America win with Argentina in 2021.

And while Argentina came into the World Cup as favourites, it almost turned into a nightmare after their opening defeat to Saudi Arabia.

Messi reflected: “I would say the first match [the defeat against Saudi Arabia] was a hard blow because we had been unbeaten in 36 matches. To start in such a way in a World Cup, we did not think we would lose to Saudi Arabia.

"It was an acid test of the whole squad but we proved how strong we are. We won the other matches and it was very difficult what we did. Every match was a final and we were aware if we did not win things would be complicated for us.

"We have won five finals and I hope this is the case for the final on Sunday. We lost in the first match due to fine details but it helped us to be stronger."