Lionel Messi confirms the World Cup in Qatar will be his last

Lionel Messi has confirmed that the upcoming World Cup in Qatar will be his last as a player.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has never won international football's biggest tournament.

He came closest in 2014 when Argentina were beaten by Germany in the final in Brazil.

Argentina are again one of the favourites to win this winter's tournament in Qatar, which gets underway on November 20.

And Messi has confirmed that it will be his last chance to win the one major trophy missing from his collection.

"This will be my last World Cup - for sure. The decision has been made," the Paris Saint-Germain star told Argentine journalist Sebastian Vignolo.

While Messi has enjoyed huge success in club football, it took him until 2021 to win his first major trophy in international football.

It finally came in last year's Copa America, with Argentina beating rivals Brazil 1-0 in the final.

Messi has played in five World Cups, first featuring in the tournament against Serbia and Montenegro back in 2006.

He is now preparing for his sixth World Cup, with Argentina currently third favourites to win behind Brazil and defending champions France.

Lionel Scaloni's side face Saudi Arabia in their opening match on November 22.

They will then take on Mexico on November 26 before playing their final group game against Poland on November 30.

Former England international Jamie Carragher says he would prefer to see Argentina be crowned champions instead of the Three Lions so that Messi can cement his status as the world's greatest footballer.

"He is the best player I think all three of us has ever seen," Carragher said on CBS Sports, referring to his fellow pundits Thierry Henry and Micah Richards.

"You've got greats that have come before; Pele, maybe Johan Cruyff, of course we all saw [Diego] Maradona.

"I would love nothing more in Qatar than for Argentina and Lionel Messi to win the World Cup..."@Carra23 is putting his England loyalties aside so Lionel Messi can cement his legacy. 👀 pic.twitter.com/fXYkqv4Kss

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 5, 2022

"But I would say that Lionel Messi is the greatest player to ever play football.

"That may not be universal because everyone associates… you have to win a World Cup.

"I would love nothing more than in Qatar for Argentina and Lionel Messi to win the World Cup.

"Just to cement him, where I see him - but in everybody's eyes, as the greatest player to have ever played the game."