'He is playing like it is now or never': Wayne Rooney on Argentina's Lionel Messi playing his last World Cup

Lionel Messi, currently the highest goal scorer for Argentina has confirmed that the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar will be "his last World Cup". The statement came after his assist and goal helped Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals to reach Sunday's final. 

The 35-year-old, who is competing in his fifth World Cup, was an important member of the team that advanced to 2014 final, which they lost 1-0 to Germany in extra time.

Now, looking to make things right, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward, after scoring his fifth goal of the tournament, said that he expected the current tournament in Qatar to be his last.

"It's my last World Cup," he said. "It is impressive to end up playing a final. There's a long way to go for the next one, there are many years and surely because of age I won't get to it."

Adding to it Messi said: “It’s the sixth (World Cup) final that Argentina is going to play and I’ll have played in two. 

"Hopefully this time it ends up another way."

Commenting on this, former England great and current Viacom18 Sports expert Wayne Rooney credited Argentina's team effort for the emphatic show against Croatia.

Rooney believes that it is Argentina's best chance to win the World Cup. "They have got to the final and it is a great opportunity for them to win the World Cup. Even though you have got the greatest player of all time in Messi, it is the team that has got them through to the final. That’s how you win things, that’s how you win trophies. That’s how you can be successful," he said.

Speaking about Messi announcing his retirement he added, "Messi announced that this is probably his last World Cup, and he is playing like that. He is playing like this is it. It is now or never."

Argentina will now be looking to win the World Cup for the third time and the first since 1986. The side will play either France or Morocco in Sunday's World Cup final.