Lionel Messi confirms news of retirement following Argentina’s victory against Croatia: Report
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi confirmed the news of his retirement following Argentina’s 3-0 victory against Croatia during the first World Cup semi-final in Qatar on Wednesday. According to the report by the Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole, Messi has said that this year’s FIFA World Cup final will be his last game for Argentina.
The 35-year-old was on target from the penalty spot, and also set up the third goal clinching Wednesday’s victory for his team. Having scored five goals in the tournament so far, Messi also became Argentina's leading goal scorer in World Cups with 11 goals to his name, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta (10) on the list.
"I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final. 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," Messi reportedly told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole.
Urging his teammates to enjoy the victory after their semi-final win over Croatia, Messi said, "Argentina are, once again, in the World Cup final. Enjoy it!"
"We've been through tough situations, other very good ones. Today we're experiencing something spectacular", he added
Despite being one of the World Cup’s favourite teams in Qatar, Argentina’s loss in the opening group game 1-2 against outsiders Saudi Arabia had given way to the disappointment of football fans with the breaking of their unbeaten record of 36 matches that they held before arriving in Doha.
With Argentina’s entry into the finals after the win against Croatia, football fans have laid all their doubts to rest.
The two-time champions will either take on France or Morocco in the final in Qatar at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
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Congress misleading public on National Herald case, matter still in court: BJP
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Wednesday accused the Congress of running misleading propaganda over the trial court's decision in the National Herald case and said the court refused to take cognisance of the complaint but did not set aside the case.
The case is still pending trial in the Delhi High Court, and the trial court in its order on Tuesday said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) can continue its investigation, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia asserted.
"The court yesterday (Tuesday) said that since it is a private complaint and no FIR has been lodged, it will not take cognizance of it. It's a technical matter. The court also said that ED can continue its investigation further. The court did not set it aside," Bhatia told a press conference at the BJP headquarters here
"Its trial is still going on. Sonia Gandhi is still Accused Number-1 and Rahul Gandhi Accused Number-2," the BJP spokesperson said, alleging, "The Gandhi family thrives on deceit, deception, and propaganda."
