Even before Lionel stepped foot in the Qatar World Cup, it was widely rumored that football wizard Lionel Messi was going to end his career after playing in the 22nd tournament. The star even hinted at it in some media outlets. But after the World Cup final, he dismissed all the rumors and said that he was not retiring right away. He said that he would play for Argentina for a few more years.

Messi is barely 35. But there is no way to tell from his excellent form and play that his age has left an impression. The former Barca star scored 7 goals in the World Cup, assisted 3 more goals by his teammates. He won the Golden Ball. After winning the World Cup final, Messi said in a media interview, "I wanted to retire after the World Cup. I can't ask for anything more than what I got from the World Cup. What I have achieved at the end of my career is enough."

He also said, "I love football. I enjoy playing for the national team. My wish is that I will continue playing for the champion Argentina."

The wait is over. After 36 years of waiting, Maradona's successors have finally lifted the World Cup. The Albiceleste have finally won the elusive golden trophy, leaving the entire football world in raptures.

Argentina set foot in the Middle Eastern country of Qatar with the goal of winning the World Cup. However, those hopes began to fade after losing to Saudi Arabia in the first match of the group stage. However, in a great comeback, led by Lionel Messi, the Latin American team surprised everyone and reached the final.

And the entire football world witnessed a thrilling final at Qatar's Lusail Stadium on Sunday, when Argentina beat France in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in regulation time to lift their third World Cup title.

Messi has led the team from the front and has shone brightly from start to finish in this World Cup with a magical performance. He has also put himself in the record books. Let's see what records and achievements Messi has achieved in the Qatar World Cup.

1. Messi is the first footballer in history to score in the group stage, last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of a World Cup.

2. Messi has played a record 19 matches wearing the captain's armband at the World Cup stage. The next two places on this list are Mexico's Rafa Marquez (17) and Argentina legend Diego Maradona (16).

3. Messi has played a total of 26 matches in the World Cup, including the final in Lusail, breaking Germany's Luther Matthaus' record of 25 matches.

4. Messi is now Argentina's top scorer in the blue and white jersey with 7 goals in this World Cup. Next on the list are Gabriel Batistuta (10), Maradona (8), Guillermo Stabile (8), Mario Kempes (6) and Gonzalo Higuain (5).

5. Messi is the only footballer to have set the record for assists in five different World Cups. Brazilian legend Pele, Poland's Jeggos Lato, Argentina's Maradona and England's David Beckham have all assisted in three tournaments.

6. The gap between Messi's first and last goal on the World Cup stage is 16 years and 184 days. Which is the longest in history. Next in line is Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo. That period is 16 years and 160 days.

7. Messi played 2,314 minutes in the World Cup, breaking the previous record of 2,217 minutes held by Italy's Paolo Maldini.

8. Messi has won the Man of the Match award 11 times, the most in World Cup history. He won the award in five of his seven matches in Qatar. FIFA started giving the award at the 2002 World Cup.

9. Messi is the first player since the 1966 World Cup in England to score a double of goals and assists in three different matches in a single World Cup. La Pulga is also the first footballer to score a goal and assist in four different matches at the World Cup stage.

10. Messi has won 16 matches in the World Cup. However, only Germany's Miroslav Klose has won more than Lm10, with 17 wins.

The final match of the Qatar World Cup in Lusail was everything that a thriller means. With a two-goal lead in the first half of the match, many saw Argentina winning the title.

But Mbappe equalized for France with a brace in the space of a minute, ending the game in regulation time with a 2-2 draw.

Argentina took the lead again in extra time with a brilliant goal from Messi in the 108th minute. But France equalized again by scoring another goal a couple of minutes before the end of the match, completing their hat-trick. But after the match went to a tiebreaker, Le Albiceleste emerged victorious.

The Qatar World Cup title was finally won by the blue team 4-2 in a tiebreaker. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez became the hero of Argentina's World Cup victory there. Martinez brought Argentina to the brink of winning the World Cup by saving Kingsley Coman's penalty shot in the penalty shootout. Then Aurelien Chuameni's shot to stop Martinez was missed. That's how goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez became the hero of Argentina's last-minute victory.

Argentina defeated France in a thrilling final to win the World Cup in Qatar. Despite the team's defeat, Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot with a total of 8 goals in the tournament, including a hat-trick in the final. Messi lost the Golden Boot to Mbappe despite scoring 7 goals in the match.

Messi and Mbappe both started the World Cup final on Sunday (December 18) with 5 goals each. Messi's goal tally rose to 6 after he put the ball into the French net in the 23rd minute.

Mbappe scored a pair of goals in a short period of time in the second half.

His goal tally stood at 7. When the game went into extra time, Messi scored another goal. This brought his goal tally to 7. Then, in the second half of extra time, Mbappe scored from the penalty spot to put the team ahead. His goal tally stood at 8. This ensured his Golden Boot.

1986 to 2022. 36 years have passed since the calendar turned. In the meantime, the World Cup title has not been tasted. Lionel Messi's team set foot in the host country Qatar with such calculations in mind.

However, the Latin American country suffered a setback in the first match of the group stage, losing to Saudi Arabia. Immediately after that, the scenario changed and Lionel Scaloni's team began to show themselves in the World Cup. The main architect of which was the team's lifeblood, Lionel Messi. With his help, the Albiceleste won the final of this year's World Cup stage.

The world has seen a different Messi on and off the field in the current Qatar World Cup. Messi has scored 7 goals and assisted three in this World Cup. This star has shone whenever the Argentine team needs him. He received the Man of the Match award in all three matches of the knockout stage. In total, he has been Man of the Match in four matches. On the other hand, this star also scored 2 goals in the World Cup final.

The 35-year-old footballer from Rosario has written his name on every trophy in the world of football. Only the golden World Cup title was elusive. Today, Argentina won the World Cup for the third time, defeating France in a dramatic tiebreaker at the iconic Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

Details coming soon…

Argentina's starting XI has changed throughout the World Cup, with coach Lionel Scaloni changing tactics to take the opponent into consideration.

There was some discussion about his starting XI against France. There was some question as to whether Angel Di Maria would play even if he was fully fit. However, Scaloni has lined up the XI with the experienced winger in mind.
To counter the French's formidable attack, Argentina will field two center backs, Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi. Molina and Marcos Aquino will play as fullbacks.

They are joined by three midfielders: Enzo Fernandes, Rodrigo de Paul and Alexis McAllister. Lionel Messi will be joined in attack by Julián Alvarez, who scored twice in the semi-final, and Ángel Di María. Ángel Di María is not in the starting eleven for the title clash.

Argentina's starting XI against France:

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez.

Defenders: Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi Nahuel, Molina, Marcus Aquino.

Midfielders: Enzo Fernandes, Rodrigo de Paul, Mc Allister.

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julián Alvarez, Angel Di Maria.

Lionel Messi's Argentina is taking on defending champions France to end a 36-year title drought. The final match of the 28-day World Cup will begin at 9 pm Bangladesh time. Both teams have a chance to win the World Cup for the third time. Before the match, the Albiceleste's past statistics against the French are putting them ahead of the game. Which can give Lionel Scaloni's men extra courage on the field.

France and Argentina have faced each other 12 times in international football. Argentina has won six of them, and the French have won three matches. The remaining matches have been drawn. However, in the last match of the two teams, Didier Deschamps' team had the last laugh. In the last sixteen match of the 2018 Russia World Cup, Mbappe and Griezmann's performances helped France win 4-3 and enter the quarterfinals.

On the other hand, Argentina's statistics in the World Cup are also quite rich. The Albiceleste had defeated the French twice in the previous three matches. Moreover, the first time the two teams met on the football stage was in the World Cup. Argentina won 1-0 in the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay. Then, these two teams faced each other for the second time in the 1978 World Cup. In that match too, Argentina had the last laugh, defeating France 2-1.

Meanwhile, Argentina, who had set foot in Qatar with the dream of winning the World Cup, lost to Asian powerhouse Saudi Arabia in the first match of the group stage. After that, there was concern about advancing to the next round. However, after a great comeback, Messi's team is now just one step away from winning the title after the last 16, quarter and semi-finals.

Ramgati (Lakshmipur) Correspondent:

The locals in Ward No. 6 of Char Badam Union in Ramgati, Lakshmipur, have become hostages to a gang of thieves who have been identified as the culprits.
It is known that the local people are living in extreme fear due to various crimes committed by the Panchayat Samaj of the union, including theft of sidel, theft of money, theft of mobile phones, theft of pots and pans in the dark of night, theft of cooked meat, stabbing of housewives in the dark of night, etc.
Everyone, including the police station, the chairman, members, and watchmen of the local union council, knows about the criminal world of this gang of thieves. This syndicate remains elusive after being caught stealing under the political umbrella.

Locals say that for some time now, an organized gang of thieves and criminals has been formed in the Panchayat Samaj of Ward No. 6 of Char Badam Union, led by Abdul Majed Raju, the general secretary of the union Chhatra League, son of Abul Bashar Basu Mia, and brothers Suman, Shahin, Noman, and Shanto. Upazila Chhatra League President Akbar Hossain Sukhi has been accused of hanging out with them, staging showdowns, and patronizing them. After the gang of thieves was caught, the godfathers took them away under the influence of power. Because of them, it has become difficult for ordinary people to live in society. No one wants to open their mouths out of fear. When someone opens their mouths, incidents like theft, robbery, and assault come upon them. In the last one month, they have stolen about 15/20 houses, attacked housewives with sharp knives, stolen mobile phones, stole money, stole cows and goats, and stolen household goods by cutting the roof. This gang broke into the house of Abdur Rahim, son of the deceased Abul Khair, a few days ago at night and took a mobile phone worth 20,000 rupees and other goods. They broke into the house of Nurul Islam's son Maqsud, an expatriate, and took his passport, visa, cash, and other goods. They took the water pump motor of Abul Kalam's son Mosleh Uddin and other goods. When Chowdhury Mia's son Nur Nabir was taking a cow, he screamed and left the cow. They broke into the drain of Nur Nabir's house and took a mobile phone. After filing a GD, Ramgati Police Station recovered it. They broke into the fence of Anwar's house, son of Miron Pandit, and took an Android mobile phone 15/20 days ago.

Hafez Mahbub Ullah cut the Sid of the house and took two touch mobiles. A similar incident happened a year ago. Abdul Matin cut the Sid of the house of Bepari and took two touch mobiles and gold jewelry. Ismail's son Rashed cut the Sid of the doctor's house and took two Android sets and medical equipment. Yunus Panchat cut the Sid and took the gold chain from his wife's neck when she shouted and left the chain, then apologized when they were proven thieves in a social arbitration meeting. They cut the door of Abu Zaker's house and took the mobile, other goods and a cow. This gang of thieves stole from his house twice in a row. They poured petrol into Md. Russell's house twice and tried to set fire to it, burning one of his kitchens to ashes. When Russell's mother got up to pray while performing ablution, they tried to kill her with a hammer, but when the woman screamed, they ran away. At that time, the hammer pierced her chest. They had previously given Russell various tips and threats.

Locals also said that this gang has been disturbing the society by stealing chickens, mobile phones, cash, nariks, and betel nuts from people's houses at various times. This gang took away two mobile phones of the imam of the mosque while he was leading prayers. A few days ago, they entered the house of Tajal Islam's son Md. Yunus and took away eight thousand taka in cash. If it is proven, their father Basu has admitted that he will deposit the fine money with the secretary of the Karamatia Bazar Committee within one and a half months in the social arbitration meeting. This gang has been stealing for a long time. There are several GDs against them at Ramgati Police Station. Eradicating them is the need of the hour.

Local UP Chairman Sakhawat Hossain Jasim said, "Our locals are upset because of the gang of thieves."
In this regard, Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Alamgir Hossain said that action will be taken after investigation.
Conscious locals strongly demand strict legal action to curb this gang of thieves.

Only the voice can be heard. The face cannot be seen properly.

Still, the video has gone viral. Why? 'I don't know what will happen in the final, but I can say this much: you made everyone happy...you made an impact on their lives' or something like that. You should have realized by now - these are the words an Argentine journalist said to Lionel Messi after the World Cup semi-final.
Forgetting his responsibilities, he became a representative of many for a moment. His words spread quickly. Brian Lara asked in the twilight of his career, 'Have I been able to entertain you?' Lionel Messi is not Lara. Carefree, modest, easygoing. 'If he didn't play football, he might have been a farmer...' This is what is said about him in the joy of conversation. He would ask questions, it is not something that can be imagined.

Yet someone gave him the answer, saying 'passed' even though he didn't want to know. Millions of fans were amazed to hear those words, 'Hey, how did you read my mind...!' The lady said, 'You have touched the hearts of millions of Albiceleste. Whether it's fake or imaginary; most of them have your jersey...'‘

He certainly didn't lie. Thanks to the internet, they surface every few days. A teenager standing on the sidewalk in a torn shirt has 'Mechi' written on a brick. Spelling is not the main thing here, but love is. The 'sad king' of football brings a little happiness in poverty.

These are stories from faraway lands. Think about Julián Álvarez. A photo from eleven years ago is now quite viral. He met Lionel Messi somewhere; he somehow even took a picture. Later, in an interview, he spoke about the biggest dream of his life.

What? 'Playing in the World Cup for the country...'. Football idol? 'Lionel Messi...'.

You must have started piecing together the pieces of the picture by now. Or maybe you have a picture of Alvarez with Messi after he converted his inhuman assist into a goal.

One of the best in the World Cup, the defender wanted by many big clubs, simply made a fool of himself. Later, someone wrote, 'Messi didn't dribble past five people. But he beat one person five times...' So many seconds of dribbling, Alvarez's shot, Messi's embrace...

Those pictures can be put together to create a frame if you want. Still, victory is needed for recognition. Why? The picture of Lionel Messi carrying the Golden Ball trophy after the 2014 World Cup is proof of that. The emptiness that is gazing at with unwavering eyes cannot be filled with individual titles, it can be felt.

Time flies. 2015 comes, '16 too. After losing three finals, the youngster says, 'I have nothing left in international football...'. Heart breaks. Hundreds of voices around the world rise up, demanding his return. He comes.