FIFA World Cup 2022: Lionel Messi ready for 'last shot' at World Cup glory

Lionel Messi has downplayed fears about his physical fitness declaring himself ready for Argentinas 2022 FIFA World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia later on TuesdayThe Paris SaintGermain forward had raised concerns in the Argentine press after he was seen training separately from the rest of Argentinas squad last weekI feel very good physically the truth is that I think Ill enter the tournament in great shape personally as well as physically Messi told a news conference on Monday reports XinhuaI dont have any problem I heard that they said that I trained differently because I suffered a knock but its nothing unusual The timing of the World Cup is different Its at the other end of the year and our physical condition is differentNormally we have a month to prepare for the World Cup This time there hasnt been time for that and we have to play our first match very quickly We knew it was going to be like this We go into the tournament feeling good Were prepared and the feeling that exists is always specialWhen pressed on whether he had prepared differently to his Albiceleste teammates Messi replied No Its a different time in the season with much fewer games Ive always felt good with continuity of games playing regularly so that I get into a rhythm Thats what I tried until I got here at the start of the World Cup I did nothing special this time I took care of myself and worked like I have my whole career It will probably be my last World Cup my last chance to achieve the big dream I haveLionel Scalonis men are undefeated in their past 35 games a sequence that includes the 2021 Copa America final against Brazil They are just two games shy of the record for the longest run of international matches without defeat currently held by ItalyMessi will be playing in his fifth World Cup having appeared on footballs biggest stage for the first time at the 2006 tournament in GermanyAlso ReadLionel Messi Little by littleThe closest he has come to lifting the Jules Rimet trophy was in 2014 when Argentina lost the final against Germany following an extratime goal from Mario GoetzeWe hope to be able to continue doing what we are doing with this group at this time which has been growing game after game We have a good feeling within the squad and it has been reflected on the pitch Were expecting a difficult game against Saudi Arabia because of what the beginning of the World Cup means Many of the guys are playing in their first World Cup and everyone handles anxiety and nerves in their own way But when the first five minutes pass we will try to play as we have been doing attacking from the outset and respecting our opponents as we always doMessi said he appreciated the support of fans from other countries many of whom have adopted Argentina as their favorite team in the hope the seventime Ballon dOr winner can write a glorious final chapter to his glittering careerIt is something beautiful that many people who are not Argentine want us to be champions in large part because of me the 35yearold said I am grateful for the love that I have received throughout my sports career Wherever Ive had to go Ive always received love It makes me happy that there are more people who want the same thing as meMessi said the Albicelestes recent run of success means they enter this World Cup feeling less pressure than in Russia four years agoI dont know if weve improved in that aspect but we have been winning and that decompresses a lot It makes us work in a different way so that people are not so anxious and people are not so aware of the results but enjoying it more This group reminds me of the one from 2014 which was very closeknit and clear about what they wanted Its good to arrive like this because it gives us confidence when we go out to playThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever