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Argentina captain Lionel Messi sent an emotional message ahead of his side's 2022 FIFA World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, November 22.
In all likelihood, the ongoing World Cup in Qatar will be the former Barcelona superstar's last. He has previously played in four World Cups between 2006 and 2018.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) attacker penned on social media:
"There are many memories, good moments and not so good that I lived but always proud to represent our country and our national team. Tomorrow, we start another World Cup with a lot of desire and enthusiasm. We are all in this together!!!"
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In 19 World Cup games, Messi has scored six goals and provided five assists. He came agonizingly close to lifting Argentina to glory in 2014, but La Albiceleste lost 1-0 to Germany in the final. Messi, however, won the Golden Ball in that edition.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi says hope and enthusiasm have kept him going ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Argentina captain Messi faced the media ahead of his team's opening 2022 FIFA World Cup clash against Saudi Arabia. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner said (via The Guardian):
“What keeps me trying is that hope, that enthusiasm. Don’t think about what could have been, try again. And enjoy it. It’s hard to make them see it that way and to just enjoy it at their age; I didn’t realize when I was that age.
"Let them enjoy it. The World Cup is special and you never know if it will happen again. It’s the greatest experience there is.”
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni also spoke about how he enjoys working with the legendary forward, saying:
“I enjoy working with him when I can, And I hope everyone can enjoy him. It’s wonderful to see him play and wonderful that he can play a World Cup. Every eulogy falls short.”
Messi won his first major international trophy in 2021 under the guidance of Scaloni as Argentina lifted the Copa America trophy.
