Mauricio Pochettino Explains Why Lionel Messi and Argentina Must Win 2022 FIFA World Cup

• Lionel Messi needs to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, according to former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino
• The former Argentina defender feels the Paris Saint-Germain playmaker needs the trophy to solidify his place among the all-time greats of football
• Messi will head into his 5th World Cup tournament with Argentina, hoping to win the tournament for the first time in his career

Lionel Messi has no choice but to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar if he wants to be regarded as football’s all-time great, according to Mauricio Pochettino.

At 35, Messi will be heading to what many believe will be his final appearance at football’s biggest tournament, after previously failing to win the competition on his previous 4 occasions.

According to Sportskeeda, Pochettino is of the opinion that like Maradona and Pele, Messi also needs to win the World Cup to be considered the best in the world.

The biggest World Cup snubs: A list of footballers left out of their countries’ World Cup squad

Football

"It is the only thing missing for Messi, to lift the World Cup, and I hope in Qatar that it happens. Because I am Argentino and of course, my desire is for Argentina to win the World Cup... To confirm Messi is one of the best, in the same place as Maradona and Pele.”

Argentina has been paired with Saudi Arabia, Poland and Mexico in Group C, and the Copa America champions will begin their campaign on November 22.

Messi's retirement isn’t far off

Meanwhile, Messi is already considering hanging up his boots, after a successful football career which has seen him be considered one of the game’s greatest stars.

According to Football Espana, the 35-year-old is already dreaming of returning to his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys before retiring from football.

Lionel Messi names 2 nations that pose the greatest threat to Argentina at 2022 FIFA World Cup

Football

Messi is currently in Qatar with the Argentina squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as he makes his 5th appearance at the competition.

Messi debuts World Cup boots

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Lionel Messi wearing a signature boot during Argentina's pre-World Cup friendly match against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.

The Adidas X Speedportal Messi 2022 World Cup boots are inspired by the Adidas F30s, worn by the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner at the 2006 World Cup.

The X Speedportal boots feature an anti-slip silicone heel print, a carbon fiber speedframe, an engineered agility cage, and an engineered primeknit collar.