Following Sergio Aguero’s retirement, Lionel Messi has made the decision that he will stay alone for Argentina’s World Cup in Qatar.
The Paris Saint-Germain star is preparing for his fifth competition with the national squad and is determined to leave his mark this time after confessing that this will be his final World Cup before retiring.
Messi first featured on the world stage back in 2006 in Germany before going on to play for Argentina in South Africa, Brazil, Russia and now Qatar.
He won Player of the Tournament in 2014 before suffering final heartbreak in extra-time against Germany at the Maracana.
However, he will have to do it this time around without natural roomie, Aguero.
Aguero was forced to call time on his career in December 2021 after being diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia.
Messi, who is the godfather of Aguero’s son Benjamin, has a very special relationship with the former Manchester City striker and they have been virtually inseparable at international level since 2005.
The pair have always shared a room together at major tournaments, including the World Cup in Brazil when Argentina came narrowly close to lifting the trophy.
But little did the pair know, the 2021 Copa America would be the last time the attacking duo would share a room together following Aguero’s healthcare.
Why Messi Will Stay Alone
According to Argentinian reporter Gaston Edul, Messi has since decided he won’t be replacing the centre-forward in Qatar.
He has instead decided to continue rooming alone so he can ‘concentrate’ on the task at hand.
Heading into the tournament, there has been lots of speculation in Messi’s homeland regarding who would receive the nod but the PSG star is so desperate to win the World Cup, he wants his own space.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will be rooming with one of the coaching staff, which ensures the other 24 Argentina players will be placed into pairs when it comes to sleeping arrangements in Doha.
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Messi has struck a great friendship with compatriot Leandro Paredes at PSG but the midfielder appears to have been snubbed by his club team-mate.
Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul is also believed to be close with Messi but the Barcelona icon will be rooming alone.
It speaks volumes about his own personal mission to win the one trophy that has eluded him his entire career.
Glory in Qatar would be the icing on the cake for the 35-year-old, who has always dreamed of winning the World Cup.
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