Messi: I will not retire until I win the World Cup
MOSCOW: Lionel Messi has opened up on his obsession of winning the World Cup, claiming he doesn’t want to retire until he’s won the biggest trophy in football.
The Argentinian celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday but insists he will not give up on his dream of bringing the World Cup back to Argentina.
It was back to the drawing board for Jorge Sampaoli’s side after they stumbled to a 3-0 defeat against Croatia, leaving them on just one point from their first two matches and in serious danger of being knocked out.
But since that dreadful result, Argentina have been given a lifeline thanks to Nigeria’s win, who they must now beat in their final group game to have any chance of progressing.
Messi was reported in the Mirror as saying: “It means so much because for Argentina the World Cup is special — and for me too.
“I’ve always had the dream of watching me raise the World Cup. And then seeing the emotion that goes with it.
“My hair stands on end just thinking about that moment. It would make millions of Argentines in the world happy. So we cannot give up on that dream.
“I have won all the most important tournaments but I am ambitious to the end. I would not like to retire from active football without being a world champion with my country.”
Argentina now face the task of beating Nigeria tomorrow and hoping that they are able to better Iceland’s result against Croatia.
They looked in good spirits as they trained on Messi’s birthday with a renewed hope among the squad.
Despite a chaotic start to the tournament, the South Americans can still reach the knockout round, where they would play the winner of Group C, currently led by France.
If Argentina fail to win the World Cup this year, Messi will have to wait until 2022 to have another crack — where he will be 35.