Lionel Messi: Argentina Star Hints the 2022 World Cup Is His Last

• Lionel Messi has opened up on what the future holds for his international career with Argentina, amid his fifth World Cup appearance
• The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has suggested the 2022 edition of the global football tournament will likely be his last
• The Barcelona legend made his senior debut for Argentina back in 2005 when he came on as a substitute against Hungary

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has hinted the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is his last.

Messi is part of Argentina's star-studded team that is taking part in this year's edition of the World Cup.

At 35 years of age, the Barcelona legend knows too well that he has entered the sunset years of his football career.

Speaking ahead of Argentina's Group C opener against Saudi Arabia, Messi suggested that he is unlikely to take part in the next World Cup, set for 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

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According to the legendary forward, the Qatar edition of the global football showpiece represents the best chance for him to conquer the world.

"It [the 2022 World Cup] will probably be my last World Cup; the last chance to achieve what we all wanted" Messi said via ESPN.

Messi's international career with Argentina

Messi made his debut for Argentina at 17 years old, playing against Paraguay in a friendly clash.

He went on to score once and provide two assists in Argentina's 8-0 victory, and he was subsequently included in the squad for the South American Youth Championship in Colombia in 2005.

Months later, he made his senior debut for La Albiceleste against Hungary, only to be sent off two minutes after he had come on.

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The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has since been a mainstay figure in the Argentina team, making four World Cup appearances with them.

The 2022 edition of the tournament will be Messi's fifth, and he will be hoping to finally lay his hands on the prestigious title.

Ronaldo, Messi create iconic moment

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been pictured playing chess against one another ahead of the World Cup.

For years now, Ronaldo and Messi have been the biggest names in the beautiful game, as their frequent El Clasico clashes and Ballon d’Or rivalry grabbed the attention of a generation of football lovers.

The duo, widely regarded as two of the greatest players of all time, took part in a photo shoot shared on Instagram just days before the start of football's biggest tournament.