Regardless of what occurs in Argentina’s Copa América ultimate match on Sunday, it is not going to be the final time Lionel Messi represents his nation.
After Argentina defeated Canada 2-0 within the semifinal on Tuesday evening, the eight-time Ballon d’OR winner addressed the current questions surrounding his future on the nationwide workforce.
“As I’ve stated earlier than, I intend to proceed,” Messi vowed exterior the locker room at MetLife Stadium. “I intend to maintain residing day-by-day with out fascinated by what’s going to come sooner or later or whether or not I’ll proceed or not. It’s one thing I simply reside every day. I’m 37 years and solely God is aware of when the top will probably be.”
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When Messi does finally retire from worldwide play, it received’t be the primary time he has finished so. After lacking a penalty kick in a shootout loss in opposition to Chile within the 2016 Copa América ultimate, he retired.
He got here out of retirement simply weeks later, and has since scored 54 targets in 73 worldwide appearances, together with the objective he scored in Argentina’s victory over Canada on Tuesday.
Messi has scored 109 targets throughout worldwide play, together with 14 in Copa América video games. That quantity is simply three shy of the event file.
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Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after scoring Argentina’s second objective of their Copa América semifinal match at MetLife Stadium. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
While Messi doesn’t intend to hold the cleats up simply but, teammate Ángel Di María does intend to retire after Sunday’s ultimate.
“It’s my final battle. There’s nothing left to say that I haven’t stated quite a lot of occasions earlier than,” the veteran ahead defined. “It’s my final sport. I’ve to say thanks to all Argentineans and to this technology that has allowed me to carry so many trophies.”
Di María made his worldwide debut in 2008 and has scored 31 targets in 144 appearances.
While Di María appears intent on retiring, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is hoping the 36-year-old has a change of coronary heart.
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Argentina ahead Ángel Di María acknowledges supporters as he leaves the pitch after being substituted out. (Juan Mabromata/AFP by way of Getty Images)
“We do not need to begin crying proper now. We do not need to really feel melancholy,” Scaloni stated. “We must let him play after which we’ll see if we are able to persuade him or not to stick with us.”
Argentina is in search of to proceed its dominant run of worldwide play. They received the 2022 World Cup, and with a win on Sunday, they might develop into back-to-back Copa América champions.
Argentina will tackle the winner of Uruguay and Colombia, which is about for Wednesday evening.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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