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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Correspondents' dinner firing: World leaders say political violence has no place in democracy
Washington (PTI): World leaders expressed relief that US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania and other guests were unharmed after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' dinner here on Saturday night and asserted that political violence has no place in a democracy.
Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was relieved that President Trump, First Lady Melania and Vice President J D Vance were safe and unharmed after a security incident at the White House Correspondents' dinner in Washington.
Modi said violence has no place in democracy and must be unequivocally condemned.
"Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned," Modi said in a post on X.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has had frequent run-ins with Trump, described the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton hotel as a “disturbing event”.
“I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House correspondents’ dinner in Washington tonight. Political violence has no place in any democracy, and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event,” Carney said in a post on X.
President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae Myung asserted that political violence “can never be justified under any circumstances.”
“The Government of the Republic of Korea firmly opposes all forms of violence and extremism that erode the values of democracy and the rule of law,” he said in a social media post.
Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi said, “Violence must never be tolerated anywhere in the world”
“I am relieved to hear that President Trump is safe following the terrifying gunfire. Violence must never be tolerated anywhere in the world,” she posted on social media.
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident “an attack on all the democracies.”
"This wasn't just an attack on Donald Trump. This was an attack on a candidate for the presidency of the United States. This was an attack on America. It was an attack on democracy, it was an attack on all the democracies,” he posted on social media.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said it was “good that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent events”.
“We send them our respect. Violence must never be the way,” she said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was pleased to hear all attendees were safe. “We applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action,” he said in a statement.
Delcy Rodriguez, the acting President of Venezuela following the capture of Nicolas Maduro by US forces, condemned the attack against Trump.
"We extend our best wishes to them and to all attendees of the Correspondent’s dinner. Violence is never an option for those who uphold the values of peace," she wrote on X.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also took to social media to condemn the incident, stating he was "deeply shocked" to hear the news.
"Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe," Sharif said.
Trump has survived two assassination attempts over the past two years – first at a presidential election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, and later in Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024.
