Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is urging fans to 'enjoy' Lionel Messi now as he responded to claims that the forward may retire from international football after the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

It will be the PSG forward's fifth time heading off to the prestigious tournament, but he has previously hinted it could potentially be his last.

The former Barcelona star has never won the World Cup, but he did lead his nation to the final in 2014, where they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Germany.

The 34-year-old has already retired once from international duty back in 2016, but quickly returned a month later, although the tournament in Qatar could be his last time pulling on his country's shirt as he considers his future.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has responded to claims that Messi is set to retire from international by sidestepping the question ahead of their clash with Ecuador on Tuesday night.

'Sometimes, because that's life, one gets old and I think that's normal. But why not think about the spectacular here and now? Why not enjoy him now? It's useless thinking about what is going to happen after the World Cup.'

'After playing in a World Cup, everyone makes assessments. I'm not in the heads of the players to know what they're thinking. 'In any case, you have to enjoy it. You don't have to think about the future, enjoy their spectacular present,' Scaloni said.

Addressing the media after the game, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi also hinted that it may have been his last international match on his homeland, while he added that he will have some decisions to make regarding his career once the World Cup is over.

"After the World Cup, I will have to rethink many things," Messi said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

While the statement is not entirely clear, it does point towards the 34-year-old considering the possibility of retirement, at least from international football once the showpiece tournament in Qatar ends.

Karim Benzema has become the official ambassador for Saudi Arabia's official bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Benzema expressed his confidence in the competence of Saudi Arabia to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034 during a recent meeting with young footballers in Jeddah.

Looking to the future with the @Saudi2034bid 🇸🇦🏆 pic.twitter.com/Z8ZsUDaFUr

— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) December 8, 2024

Saudi Arabia strengthens its position through the collaboration

Karim Benzema signed for Al-Ittihad in 2023 as one of the most prominent faces of world football to feature in the Saudi Pro League. Many promising footballers have joined the Saudi Pro League in recent years to elevate their footballing careers. Saudi Arabian Football Federation has shown greater aspirations by submitting an official bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Following Australia's withdrawal, which was Saudi's only contender in the bidding process, Saudi Arabia is now in the pole position to win the hosting rights for the biggest event of football in 2034.  Saudi Arabian Football Federation has tied knots with the French icon to strengthen their position in the premises of world football.  

The 36-year-old forward announced his appointment as the ambassador during a visit to Al-Balad. He stated:

I believe Saudi football is changing. I think that in 10 years, Saudi Arabia will be ready. I believe that visitors will be surprised by the passion of Saudi fans at every match,

Recent controversies regarding human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia have struck the football environment, as human rights activists have also expressed their concern about FIFA's decision. However, Benzema conveyed his personal views regarding the criticisms.

People who have preconceived notions about Saudi Arabia should come and see for themselves. There are incredible things and iconic places. The people are welcoming. You feel good here. It's a country worth exploring. There is so much to do. It's not just about the desert, even though there are incredible experiences to be had in the desert as well. You must come and visit Saudi Arabia.

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Benzema addressed the importance of grassroots developments in football

The French icon recently met the trainees from the Saudi Football Federation’s regional training centers in Jeddah and offered his understanding to develop a better environment for football in the region. Benzema said:

Saudi football is developing, and I am confident that after 10 years Saudi Arabia will be fully prepared (for the World Cup).

Training and development begin with the young players, and this is the most important thing — creating a generation that can reach the highest level.

An official statement by FIFA to confirm Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup may arrive this month after the FIFA Congress on 11 December 2024.  

FIFA has rejected Morocco's claims to consider the status of Western Sahara as part of the Moroccan kingdom in its bid assessment report for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The highest governing body of world football has significantly overlooked a map submitted by Morocco during the evaluation process as the presented Western Sahara as Morocco's territory.

The 2030 FIFA World Cup will reportedly be hosted in six countries across three continents to celebrate the centenary year of the World Cup. The FIFA Council adopted a key decision in October 2023 regarding the 2030 FIFA World Cup to finalize Portugal, Spain, and Morocco's combined bid to host the grand event.  The council unanimously agreed to award Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay the hosting rights for some of the matches. 

The geopolitical tension

The Western Sahara conflict is a long-standing territorial dispute in North Africa. When Spain surrendered control of the region in 1975, Morocco solidified its claim through a mass civilian movement known as the 'Green March'. This led to an extensive war with the Polisario Front, a Sahrawi independence movement. The Polisario Front declared the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and established a government-in-exile in Algeria. The conflict has resulted in a divided territory, with Morocco controlling the western portion and the SADR holding the eastern region. Morocco illegally annexed Western Sahara twice in the past, in 1976 and 1979. The United Nations offered its mediation efforts, but a lasting solution remains elusive, leaving the future of Western Sahara and its people uncertain.

However, Morocco submitted a map alongside their bid assessment that included Western Sahara in its territory. This move aimed at legitimizing the Makhzen regime's expansionist ideas. In a turnaround of events, FIFA has recognized the distinct and internationally acknowledged borders between Morocco and Western Sahara. FIFA effectively avoided the Moroccan government's territorial ambitions by rejecting the map. This sensitive political situation is still profoundly worrying for the governing body of world football. 

🔴HM King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, has the great pleasure of announcing to the Moroccan people that the FIFA Executive Committee has unanimously selected the Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid as the sole candidate to organize the 2030 Football World Cup. pic.twitter.com/wCUFXBmL2c

— Moroccan Diplomacy 🇲🇦 (@Marocdiplo_EN) October 4, 2023

Some other issues also may lead FIFA to go through various talks with respective authorities and its sub-committees. Amnesty International, an organization that works on human rights and the concerning instances, submitted a report on human rights abuses in the said territory of Morocco and Western Sahara. The report was named 'The States of the World's Human Rights 2024' and it included human rights abuses allegations such as torture and ill-treatment, women's rights, impunity, and many others. 

FIFA's evaluation report

El Independiente, the renowned Spanish news outlet, has unveiled the Moroccan government's attempt to manipulate FIFA's evaluation report. The report, which assessed Morocco's bid for the 2030 World Cup, omitted a map showcasing Morocco's territorial claims over Western Sahara. This omission was deliberate, as the inclusion of such a map would have directly contradicted international law and UN resolutions. The UN firmly recognizes Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory awaiting decolonization. Morocco's efforts to assert its sovereignty over Western Sahara appear to be aimed at exploiting the region's natural resources. However, This initiative has no legal basis and is countered by FIFA's recent technical report.

El Independiente also indicated in a recent report that the controversy surrounding Morocco's falsified map, alongside other candidate-related issues, was a key topic of discussion within FIFA's committee, which includes representatives from Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. This pivotal decision by FIFA has evidently angered the Moroccan government, whose strategic plans have been significantly disrupted.

The first-ever FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League concluded with Saudi Arabia being crowned world champions after four days of intense competition from December 5 to 8.

As players represented their national teams for the first time on the Rocket League scene, Saudi Arabia triumphed over France in a fiercely contested final to claim the prestigious FIFAe World Cup title and lift the trophy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The winning team, consisting of Rw9, Kiileerrz, trk511 and d7oom-24, demonstrated incredible skill, teamwork and resilience throughout this historic tournament. Their journey to the top saw them overcome some of the world’s best players and national teams, representing Saudi Arabia with pride on the global stage.

With 16 nations competing in this inaugural edition, Rocket League fans were treated to some electrifying matches across the group stage and through to the final at the spectacular Saudi Esports Federation Arena at Boulevard City. The event was live-streamed across a variety of channels, including by co-streamers from around the globe. All detailed results and more information are available on FIFA.GG.

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The FIFAe Finals 2024 are a milestone event for football esports, with multiple titles featuring under the FIFAe banner for the first time. As one of the most popular esports titles globally, Rocket League’s inclusion in FIFAe marked a new chapter in the convergence of traditional sports and esports. During the course of the event, a total of USD 450,000 will be distributed in prize money across the three FIFAe World Cup tournaments.

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As the champions of the first competition celebrate, fans can look forward to more exciting action at the FIFAe World Cups featuring eFootball on mobile and console from 9 to 12 December.

Note: This content has been created from a press release by FIFA Media.

In his first full season in the MLS, Argentine forward Lionel Messi claimed the prestigious MVP award, which is given to the best-performing player in the League for that season.

Despite missing 15 matches due to injuries and international commitments, Messi led MLS in goal contributions with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 appearances. He became the third player in the league's history to record at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a single season, following Carlos Vela (2019) and Sebastian Giovinco (2015). This achievement also marks the first time an Inter Miami player has won the award.

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Lionel Messi Secures Prestigious Honor for the First Time in His Career

Our MVP by our @InterMiamiAcad 💫 This is the #FreedomToDream pic.twitter.com/EpGWNVfeKj

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 6, 2024

Inter Miami had a dominant MLS regular season, setting a record with 74 points, but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Atlanta United. Messi joined the team in June 2023 after departing Paris Saint-Germain.

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Messi secured 38.4% of the average vote, edging out Hernandez, who received 33.7%. The top five was completed by Portland Timbers midfielder Evander (9.2%), DC United's Christian Benteke (7.1%), and Messi's Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez (2.2%).

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How the MVP Voting Looked Like?

1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) --> 38.4%
2. Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew) --> 33.7%
3. Evander (Portland Timbers) --> 9.24%
4. Christian Benteke (DC United) --> 7.10%
5. Luis Suarez (Inter Miami) --> 2.17%

Messi, Busquets, and Alba led Inter Miami to victory in the Leagues Cup, a competition featuring MLS teams against Mexico's Liga MX, earning the club its first-ever trophy.

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In the 2024 season, Inter Miami excelled during the regular season, claiming the Supporters' Shield as the team with the highest points across both conferences. All these achievements helped propel Messi to win this award.

Two of the top Asian football powerhouses, Japan and Qatar are being considered to compete against Argentina National Football Team for the exhibition matches In India. The matches are likely to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, Kerala.

Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman announced in a press conference on Tuesday that the world champions will grace the Indian soil in 2025. AFA representatives are set to visit Kerala within six weeks and finalize Messi and co's trip to 'God's Own Country'. 

#Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman revealed that the #Argentina football team, including legendary player #LionelMessi, will visit the state next year for an international match. 😲⚽ https://t.co/mYvR9OwP5Khttps://t.co/mYvR9OwP5K pic.twitter.com/gzeQP20eIF

— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) November 20, 2024

However, there have been no official confirmations on Argentina's potential opponents, but TOI has confirmed that AFA has asked for a list of opponents from the Kerala State Government, and AFA will choose their rivals themselves. 

Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also shared a heartfelt message on Facebook:

Confirmation awaits

Argentina will face two leading Asian teams for the friendlies in Kerala next year but the opponents are yet to be disclosed. However, the venue of the match is yet to be announced as the venue will be finalized after the AFA officials visit the State within the next six months. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi is the most suitable destination with a capacity of almost 42000.

🏟️ Messi to Kerala! Argentina 🇦🇷 is set to play a friendly match in Kochi in 2025, likely against Qatar or Japan.

📢 Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman confirmed the news after talks with the Argentine FA in Spain.

💸 Hosting costs estimated at ₹100 crore, including ₹36 crore… pic.twitter.com/swvhSJAMLJ

— football news india (@fni) November 21, 2024

The dates are not announced yet as well. However, two dates during the FIFA International break window in October 2025 are the tentative fixture as of now. Further discussions between the State Government and the AFA and the official announcement is yet to happen. 

Fans hope that Lionel Messi will come to India after 14 years since he played in Argentina's friendly match against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. However, Messi's arrival can only be confirmed after the official announcement as the Argentine legend will definitely be the center of attraction for Indian football fans.

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