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Credit: Times Now

Lionel Messi-led Argentina have reached their second World Cup final in eight years as they are scheduled to face defending champions France at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday, December 18 in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final. However, speculations have been made over the Argentina captain's international career after the World Cup in Qatar.

After commencing their 2022 World Cup campaign with a loss against Saudi Arabia, Argentina bounced back in the competition to reach the final stage as Lionel Messi (8) leads the list of most goal contributions in the tournament.

After defeating Croatia 3-0 in the semifinals, the 33-year-old Messi  told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole, "I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final. It's many years for the next one and I don't think I'll  be able to do it. And to finish like this, it's the best."

The PSG star's statement confirmed that the Qatar World Cup will be his last appearance at the biggest stage in the international football and also it is likely to be his last international match as the magician will look to end his Argentina career after the final.

Earlier in October this year, Lionel Messi talked about his retirement plans as the 33-year-old confirmed the FIFA World Cup 2022 to be his last. Reportedly, Messi could leave PSG in the summer to join David Beckham's MLS franchise, Inter Miami CF.

Messi scored the opener against Croatia from the spot, which was his third penalty of the tournament, and  broke Argentina's World Cup scoring record with  11 goals, one more than Gabriel Batistuta. A lso, the former Barcelona forward is set to break  German legend  Lothar Matthäus' (25)  record for most World Cup appearances as he will be playing his 26th World Cup match against France in the final .