The World Cup in Qatar in November, according to Lionel Messi, will "certainly" be his last.
The 35-year-old attacker for Paris St. Germain has represented Argentina in four World Cups, making 19 games and tallying six goals and five assists.
After leading his nation to the Copa América triumph in 2021 and receiving a runners-up gold in 2014, Messi's impressive trophy case is just lacking in the World Cup.
It's definitely my last World Cup, he remarked.
Messi said in a statement to ESPNexternal-link: "I am keeping track of the days before the World Cup. Nervousness and anxiety are present at the same moment. Do you want to know what will happen, when it will happen, and how it will end?"
Messi made his debut for Argentina in 2005 and has since made 164 appearances while scoring 90 goals.
He will beat the previous mark for an Argentina player, which he shared with Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano, by qualifying for his fifth World Cup.
The Global Cup, which begins on November 20, will include Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland. Argentina is currently placed third in the Fifa world rankings.
"Anything might happen during a World Cup. Each match is really challenging. Favorites don't always come out on top, "said Messi.
"I don't know if we're the favorites, but given its history, Argentina is always a contender. We are not the favorites, and right now even more so because of the situation we're in. I believe there are teams out there who are superior to us."
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Qatar shortens business hours to lessen World Cup traffic congestion.
In an effort to decrease congestion before and during the World Cup, Qatar said on Wednesday that the number of government employees visiting offices would be cut and that school hours would be shortened.
The administration is concerned about keeping traffic off the streets near the eight stadiums since more than a million spectators are anticipated during the event, which runs from November 20 to December 18.
The first two weeks of the event, when the greatest number of international fans will be watching the 32 competing nations, are what the authorities are most concerned about.
Following a cabinet meeting, a spokeswoman for the government said that just 20% of the workforce will be expected in offices from November 1 through December 19, and that employees would only work four hours each day.
School will only be open from 7:00 am to noon from November 1 through November 17, and from November 18 through December 22 kids will be on break.
Beginning November 1, all vehicles will be prohibited from using the main Corniche road along Doha's waterfront.
Alongside the road, a crucial fan zone is being constructed.