Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has suggested that the 2022 FIFA World Cup may not be Lionel Messi’s last.
The 35-year-old's team is tipped as one of the favourites to secure the title after ending their longstanding trophy drought with a COPA America title in 2021.
Messi surprised many when he announced in October that this tournament will surely be his last World Cup appearance.
In reaching his fifth World Cup, he will surpass the previous record for an Argentina player he jointly held with Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano, who both played in four editions.
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However, Scaloni is hoping that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has a change of heart.
‘Hopefully it won’t be Messi’s last World Cup,' the head coach told CNN Radio.
“He is happy on the pitch and makes a lot of people happy.
“If we take care of him and bring him the way we have to bring him, there could possibly be more games from him because the world of football is asking for it.”
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If Messi were to play at the next World Cup, he would be 39-years-old and among the oldest South Americans to feature in the competition.
Argentina are ranked third in the FIFA world rankings, and face Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C at the World Cup, which starts in Qatar on November 10.
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