Messi says the final in Qatar will be his last World Cup match

 The captain of the Argentine national team, Lionel Messi, confirmed that the final match of the Qatar World Cup 2022, next Sunday, against France, will represent his last appearance.

 Messi led Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Croatia in the semi-finals and will play his 172nd cap as he tries to win his country's first World Cup title since 1986.

 Messi told the Argentine newspaper Diario Deportivo Ole: "I feel very happy because I am able to achieve this and end my journey in the World Cup by playing my last match in the final."

 The Argentina captain added: "It's been many years and I don't think I will be able to do it. Finishing my World Cup career like this is the best for me."

 The 35-year-old is participating in his fifth World Cup, surpassing Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano's four times.

 With his fifth goal in Qatar, Messi also overtook Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's top scorer at the World Cup Finals with 11 goals.

 Messi added: "Everything is good and the records are good, but the important thing is to be able to achieve the team's goal, which is the most beautiful thing ever. We are one step away after fighting hard, and we will give everything to try to win the title this time."

 The victory over Croatia prompted thousands of fans to take to the streets in Argentina to celebrate the national team's qualification for the World Cup final.

 France will meet Morocco in another semi-final match later on Wednesday.