Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, announced that Sunday's championship game against either France or Morocco will be his final World Cup appearance as he looks to go out in a flourish.

With a goal and an assist, the 35-year-old was instrumental in Argentina's 3-0 semifinal victory over Croatia.

Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi had previously stated that this will be his final World Cup, a statement he reaffirmed following Tuesday's victory.

"I am proud to be able to finish my World Cup journey playing this final," Messi told reporters. "What I'm experiencing is exciting. Sunday will be my last game in a World Cup.

"It will be many years before the next one [2026] and I don't think I'll be able to make it, so I hope I can finish in the best way."

With his 11th goal against Croatia, Messi surpassed Gabriel Batistuta to become his nation's all-time best scorer at World Cups.

In addition, Messi scored his 16th goal for Argentina in 2022, giving him the most international goals in a single year of his career.

"I'm enjoying it all very much," Messi said about the 2022 World Cup. "I feel good. I feel strong to face every game. We have been making a big sacrifice.

"The last game we played was with extra time. That was not easy at all. We were tired, but the group got strength. We played a very important game. We knew it was going to be the match it was.

"I'm very happy. Throughout this World Cup I've been having a lot of fun and, luckily, I was able to help the group to get things done."

Messi will be gunning for the ultimate crowning glory with his maiden World Cup title on Sunday, having played in 2014 when La Albiceleste were runners-up.

Argentina are into their sixth World Cup final, with only Germany (eight) having reached more in the competition.