Lionel Messi has lifted the lid over his international future as he says November's World Cup in Qatar will "surely" be his last.
The 35-year-old Paris St-Germain forward has played at four World Cups with Argentina, scoring six goals and making five assists in 19 appearances.
Messi narrowly missed out on his first World Cup Trophy as he earned a runners-up medal in 2014, and after captaining his country to the Copa America title in 2021, the World Cup is the sole major trophy missing from Messi's illustrious cabinet.
Speaking to ESPN, Messi said: "It's my last World Cup, surely," he said. The forward added, "I'm counting down the days to the World Cup. There is anxiety and nerves at the same time. Wanting it to be now, what is going to happen, and ultimately, how is it going to go?"
Messi made his international debut in 2005 and has gone on to make a total of 164 appearances for Argentina, scoring 90 goals in the process.
In reaching his fifth World Cup, he will surpass the previous record for an Argentina player he jointly held with Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano.
Ahead of the World Cup, Argentina are ranked third in the FIFA world rankings, and will square up against Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C at the World Cup, which commences on 20 November.
