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Lionel Messi retirement: Argentina star 'won't quit International football until he's won World Cup'
Messi was a picture of frustration after Argentina’s 3-0 defeat to Croatia. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Lionel Messi has reportedly claimed he won’t retire from International football until he’s won the World Cup.
The Argentine ace faces an early exit from Russia after his side picked up just one point from their first two games.
But Messi, 30, has insisted he won’t quit his national side before he’s won the biggest competition in international football.
According to The Sun, the Barcelona star said: ‘I’ve always had the dream of watching me raise the World Cup. And then seeing the emotion that goes with it. 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.’
Messi’s Argentina need to beat Nigeria in Group D on Tuesday to stand any chance of progressing to the last 16.
They also need to hope that Iceland don’t beat Croatia, as this would put them out regardless of an Argentine victory.
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Messi’s reported claims aren’t the first time he’s discussed his retirement.
He’s already retired from International football once, having hung up his boots in June 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile.
However, he reversed his decision just two months later, citing his ‘love for the country’ in a statement explaining the quick u-turn.
