Lionel Messi makes surprise admission about 2022 World Cup final in Qatar that will shock fans

Lionel Messi has made a surprise revelation about the 2022 World Cup final, almost 18 months after lifting football's biggest prize.

The 36-year-old was finally crowned a world champion on the evening of December 18, 2022 as Argentina beat France in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

After a two-goal performance against Didier Deschamps' side, Messi became the ninth player in history to win the World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d'Or.

He also made history by becoming the first player to win the World Cup Player of the Tournament twice.

But despite accomplishing the final piece of the puzzle on that memorable night in Doha, Messi isn't interested in watching it back.

Speaking to Argentine TV channel Infobae ahead of this month's Copa America opener, the eight-time Ballon d'Or said: "I haven't watched the World Cup Final back yet."

Here's how fans on social media reacted to Messi's recent admission.

One said: "Some of us have watched it more than 20 times already," while another commented: "Bro needs to watch his masterpiece again."

A third wrote: "And there’s me whose watched it more than 100 times."

A fourth said: "You are the main character in a World Cup final, it would be a bit outrageous not to watch it. You have to feel what the audience feels."

A fifth added: "This guy isn’t human, you mean the biggest game of your life?"

In the interview, Messi refused to close the door on playing for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three North American countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

“It depends on how I feel, how I am physically, and being realistic with myself," he said.

“There's still a lot of time left... in quotes, 'a lot and a little,' because it goes by quickly, but there is still some time and I don't know how I will be at that moment. Age is also a reality that is there, even though it's just a number."

Messi added: “The matches I will play now aren't the same as those I played when I was in Europe competing every three days, either in the Champions League or in the league, whether in France or Spain.

“But it depends on how I feel and what I feel being alongside my teammates, and seeing if I am still up to the level or not... let's see."

SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated transfer news channel to send you the latest deals, rumours and more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.