SM
Finland vs. England: 2 hrs 20 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Lionel Messi addresses Argentina future as Angel Di Maria confirms retirement plans

:Headline: Lionel Messi addresses Argentina future as Angel Di Maria confirms retirement plans:
Lionel Messi provides an update on his Argentina future as Angel Di Maria confirms his intention to walk away from international football.
Sports Mole

Argentina star Lionel Messi has revealed that he plans to continue playing international football as Angel Di Maria confirms that Sunday's Copa America final will be the final time that he represents his country.

The Copa America holders will face either Colombia or Uruguay in Sunday's final after they recorded a 2-0 victory in Tuesday's semi-final clash with Canada.

Manchester City's Julian Alvarez opened the scoring, before Messi scored his first goal of the tournament in the USA.

Not only did he help Argentina progress, but Messi also became the second-highest male international goalscorer of all time.

Messi, who has now scored 109 international goals, can now look forward to making his fifth appearance in a Copa America final.

Messi addresses international future

At the age of 37, Messi is aware that his playing days are coming to an end, but he still has plans to continue beyond Sunday's final in Miami.

Speaking after the win over Canada, Messi told reporters: "As I said, I will try to keep going. I try to live and enjoy the day-to-day without thinking about what will come in the future or whether I will continue or not. I have just turned 37 and only God knows what can happen."

It remains to be seen whether Messi wants to continue playing for his country until the next World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026.

Messi's current focus will be on helping his country win a third consecutive major tournament after lifting the Copa America in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022.

Di Maria confirms retirement plan

Last year, Di Maria revealed that he would retire from international football after the Copa America, and he has now confirmed that Sunday's showpiece event will be the final time that he represents his country.

"It's my last battle," Di Maria said. "There's nothing left to say that I haven't said a lot of times before. It's my last game. I have to say thank you to all Argentinians and to this generation that has allowed me to lift so many trophies.

"I'm not ready for my last game in the national team, but it's time. Whatever happens in the final, I think I can leave through the front door. I gave everything. I always gave my life for this jersey."

Di Maria is the second-most capped Argentine player in Copa America history after he made his 27th appearance in Tuesday's semi-final success.

The attacker, who made his international debut in September 2008, has made 144 appearances for his country, scoring 31 goals and providing 32 assists. body check tags ::

amp_article__547869 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-07-11 11:14:51:
html db last update - 2024-07-11 11:14:51 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Lionel Messi future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Lionel Messi

Click here for more stories about Argentina

Share this article now:
LM
Read Next:
Chasing down Ronaldo: Messi becomes second-highest men's international goalscorer
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Lionel Messi Angel Di Maria Julian Alvarez Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Chasing down Ronaldo: Messi becomes second-highest men's international goalscorer
Man City midfield target responds to transfer speculation
Preview: Coco Gauff vs. Aryna Sabalenka- prediction, head-to-head, Wuhan Open
Cold shoulder? Man United player was 'ignored' by Ten Hag for two weeks

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool76011321118
2Manchester CityMan City7520178917
3Arsenal7520156917
4Chelsea7421168814
5Aston Villa7421129314
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton73311310312
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle733187112
8Fulham7322108211
9Tottenham HotspurSpurs7313148610
10Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest724176110
11Brentford73131313010
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham72231011-18
13Bournemouth7223810-28
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd722358-38
15Leicester CityLeicester7133912-36
16Everton7124715-85
17Ipswich TownIpswich7043614-84
18Crystal Palace7034510-53
19Southampton7016415-111
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves7016921-121
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

'No regrets' - Carsley hints at England changes but defends Greece defeat

1

'R

Estevao reveals reason for choosing Chelsea, comments on social media conversation

2

ER

Will wonderkid Yamal be involved? How Spain could line up against Serbia

NEW

3

WW

Preview: Spain vs. Serbia - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

4

PS

Liverpool receive triple selection boost ahead of Chelsea game

5

LR

'Intentions are clear': Haaland 'rejects' move to European giants

6

'A

Iberian therapy: James formulates transfer plan to solve injury crisis?

7

IT

Man City midfield target responds to transfer speculation

8

MC

Preview: Poland vs. Croatia - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PP

Ronaldo hits 133rd international goal in Portugal win over Poland

10

RH


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .