XtraTime Web Desk: Desperate Lionel Messi doesn’t want to retire from the national team until he lifts the World Cup. The Barcelona forward failed to perform for his national team as they lost against Croatia and drew against Iceland. Messi missed a penalty against Iceland.
They must beat the Super Eagles to stand any chance of going through to the last-16, and have to better Iceland’s result against Croatia.
Messi – who finished as a runner-up in Brazil four years ago – was in high spirits in training today, but opened up on just how much the World Cup means to him.
He said: “It means so much because for Argentina the World Cup is special – and for me too.
“I’ve always had the dream of watching me raise the World Cup and then seeing the emotion that goes with it.
“My hair stands on end just thinking about that moment. It would make millions of Argentines in the world happy.
“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.”