Final to be Messi's World Cup swansong: 'To finish like this, it's the best!'

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has confirmed that the final will be his last World Cup game, revealing that the next tournament in 2026 is "too many years" away.

The 35-year-old was inspirational on Tuesday as he orchestrated a magical performance to help guide Argentina to the final, where they will take on either France or Morocco.

The final on Sunday will mark his 26th World Cup appearance at his fifth tournament, surpassing Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano, who both played four tournaments.

Messi hopes to bow out with gold as he bids farewell to a tournament he has participated in since the 2006 edition in Germany.

"I feel very happy, to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final," Messi told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole."It's many years for the next one and I don't think I'll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it's the best."

While he may bid farewell to the World Cup, he has not confirmed whether he will retire completely from international football.

"It's all well and good (the records), but the important thing is to be able to achieve the group objective, which is the most beautiful thing of all.

"We're just one step away, after fighting hard, and we're going to give everything to try to make it happen this time."