Lionel Messi, the Argentine footballer, announced in an interview on Thursday that the 2022 World will be the last. The 35-year-old scored on his World Cup debut for Argentina on June 16, 2006, in a match against Serbia and became the youngest player to score for Argentina in the competition – a record that still stands.

Since his debut, the seven-times Ballo d’Or winner has played in four World Cups, starting 17 times for Argentina. He has scored six goals in his 17 appearances so far, which is two short of legend Diego Maradona’s eight goals in the tournament for Argentina.

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In terms of assists, Lionel Messi has already made five so far in the World Cup – one each in 2006, 2010, and 2014, and two in 2018. To put that in perspective, Cristiano Ronaldo has two in his entire World Cup career. 

He made his debut in the 2006 World Cup in Germany in which Argentina managed to stay on till the quarter-finals. Messi started three matches for the South American nations but failed to score after his debut goal against Serbia. He was benched in the quarter-final clash against Germany which Argentina lost 5-3 on penalties.

The best year for Messi in terms of performance was undoubtedly the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Messi, then in his prime, scored four goals and one assist in his seven appearances for Argentina in the tournament.

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Argentina, captained by Lionel Messi, reached the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup but missed out on the trophy after Mario Goetze clinched a winner for the Germans in extra time. It was a heartbreaking moment for Messi who came close but still couldn’t quite make it. 

In the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Argentina suffered a debacle after being knocked out by the eventual champions France in the round of 16. Messi’s only goal in the tournament came in the group stage when Argentina defeated Nigeria 2-1.