Lionel Messi will turn 35 before the 2022 World Cup begins in Qatar in November and he’s unsure what will come after. Shortly after Argentina beat Venezuela, 3-0, in a qualifying match Friday, Messi told reporters that the end of the year will be time to “reassess” his career.
“I don’t know what I will do after the World Cup,” Messi said, via the Associated Press. “I am thinking about what is coming. After Qatar I will have to reassess many things.”
Later, he said “for sure after the World Cup many things will change”
Messi has competed at the senior level for the Argentinian national team since 2005 and is the all-time leader in international goals among South American players. He scored again for the team in its win Friday to bring his career total to 81.
As a club player, Messi spent his entire career with Barcelona of La Liga before joining French club Paris Saint-Germain last year. In 18 appearances with PSG, Messi has scored only two goals and the team was eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid earlier this month. That result led to Messi and his teammate Neymar being loudly booed by fans at a later match.
Argentina has already secured a spot in the 2022 World Cup, but has a qualifying match against Ecuador on Tuesday.
