Messi to reassess playing future after World Cup
Lionel Messi will reassess his playing future with the national team after the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year, with retirement not ruled out.
Messi was among the scorers on Saturday (AEDT) as already-qualified Argentina eased past Venezuela in FIFA World Cup qualifying at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.
The 34-year-old guided Argentina to a breakthrough Copa America triumph last year, the nation's first since 1993. Argentina has not the FIFA World Cup since Diego Maradona led it to glory in 1986, with Messi getting closest in 2014 when it reached the final in Brazil.
Messi, who joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona last August, admitted that his international playing future beyond Qatar 2022 was on his mind.
"I don’t know what I will do after the [FIFA] World Cup. I am thinking about what is coming," Messi said after the Venezuela win. "After Qatar, I will have to reassess many things."
He added: "I don’t know [about playing on], the truth is I don’t know. I think about what's coming next, only think about facing Ecuador [on Wednesday AEDT]. The preparation matches in June and September.
"Let’s hope these go the best way possible. But for sure after the [FIFA] World Cup, many things will change."
Messi added that lifting his first major trophy with Argentina last year at the Copa would not have a bearing on his decision.
"It has been a while that I am happy here, since before winning the Copa," he said. "I am thankful for all this they make me feel every time I come to Argentina."
The PSG star's goal against Venezuela extended Argentina's impressive record of not losing in the past 12 years when Messi has scored.
Messi has represented Argentina 159 times, having debuted in 2005. He has scored 81 goals for his country.
