Argentina (National Football)

Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari scored second-half goals to lead Saudi Arabia to a stunning 2-1 upset victory over Argentina in a Group C opener at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi gave the Albiceleste a 1-0 lead by converting a penalty kick in the 10th minute, but the heavily favored Argentines couldn't put another shot past Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais, who made five saves.

The Green Falcons dominated the early stages of the second half to take the lead and then withstood ample Argentina pressure in the final minutes to secure the win and three unexpected points.

Messi and Co. entered the tournament as one of the favorites, in large part because of a 36-game unbeaten streak that dated back more than three years.

Argentina dominated most of the match, holding 69 percent of possession and holding a 14-3 advantage in shots attempted, but the first 10 minutes of the second half proved disastrous for the South American side.

Firas Al-Buraikan made a wonderful touch to send Al-Shehri into space, and the 29-year-old striker made no mistake as he fired in a shot at the far post for his 11th international goal.

Eight minutes later, some porous defending in the box by Argentina left enough space for Al-Dawsari to blast a shot past Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez for the lead.

Argentina was able to regain control of the pace over the final 30 minutes, but Al-Owais was up to the task, highlighted by a tremendous save on a Julián Álvarez header deep into stoppage time.

While Saudi Arabia celebrates a milestone victory, the focus for Argentina shifts to finding a way to avoid a shocking group-stage exit in the coming days.

The Albiceleste already faced added pressure coming into the tournament with the knowledge this could be Messi's last World Cup, and thus the legend's final opportunity to capture the most coveted international prize.

Now they may need wins in each of their final two group matches against Mexico and Poland to secure a berth in the knockout rounds.

Regardless of what happens from this point forward for both Saudi Arabia and Argentina, Tuesday's result will long be remembered as one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.

Lionel Messi is heading into his fifth World Cup with Argentina, but his playing career could soon be coming to an end.

"I don't think I will play for much longer," he told Ezequiel Lavezzi, via Connell Edgar-Jones of Barca Universal.

The 35-year-old is amid an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain, tallying seven goals with 10 assists in 13 league matches, adding four goals with four assists in Champions League action.

PSG currently sits on top of the Ligue 1 table and has advanced to the Round of 16 in Champions League.

The World Cup will also provide a chance to add to his trophy case after helping Argentina win the Copa América last season. The team was a runner-up at the 2014 World Cup and it's a top contender to take home the title in Qatar.

Despite the recent success, Messi's future remains in doubt with his PSG contract up at the end of the season.

There have been reports about a potential move to MLS, with Inter Miami having "increasing confidence" a deal will be completed, per David Ornstein of The Athletic. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has also kept the door open for a move back to Camp Nou next year.

Even with the opportunities, it seems Messi already has his sights on retirement.

Of course, the superstar could still remain involved in the sport in some way.

"I love football," Messi said. "Surely, I will work on something related to it. I have done it all my life."

If he doesn't want to coach, one option could be following in the path of David Beckham, who is now the president and co-owner of Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi has confirmed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be the last time you see him playing at the most prestigious event in international soccer.

The Argentina and PSG superstar revealed his decision in an interview with Star+:

About the only achievement Messi doesn't have on his incredible resume is a World Cup title. He's come close—since making his international debut in 2005, he reached the final in the 2014 edition, with Argentina losing to Germany in extra time.

The 35-year-old also led Argentina to the quarterfinals twice (2006, 2010) and most recently the round of 16 (2018). He has six goals in 19 overall appearances, a rather tepid output for arguably the most talented attacking player in history.

Messi did lead Argentina to the Copa America title in 2021. But unlike Diego Maradona, who tasted World Cup glory in 1986, he hasn't been able to get his country over the hump at the World Cup.

Argentina will headline Group C, which also includes Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland. While it's hardly an easy group, it's one the Argentines should top comfortably.

Messi will be one of a number of talented players likely playing in their last World Cup. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (37), Wales' Gareth Bale (32), France's Karim Benzema (34), Poland's Robert Lewandowski (33) and Uruguay's Luis Suárez (35) and Edinson Cavani (35) likely won't be playing international football in four years when the World Cup returns to North America.

Argentina's opening match will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22, against Saudi Arabia.

Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal was one of the most controversial plays in sports history, so it's only fitting that the jersey he was supposedly wearing when he scored it going to auction has created a controversy of its own.

Pablo Maurer of The Athletic reported the No. 10 jersey the Argentina star was wearing during his side's victory over England in a 1986 World Cup quarterfinal match is valued at approximately $5.2-7.8 million ahead of an upcoming auction.

Maradona scored the controversial goal with the use of his hand, but officials did not clearly see the violation. It put his side up 1-0, and Argentina eventually went on to win 2-1 when he scored another goal by breaking through defenders and finding the back of the net in what is known as the "Goal of the Century."

England midfielder Steve Hodge swapped jerseys with Maradona after the game and had lent it to the National Football Museum in the United Kingdom in the past, but he is ready to part with it via the auction.

"I have been the proud owner of this item for over 35 years, since Diego and I swapped shirts in the tunnel after the famed match," Hodge said in a press release through Sotheby's auction house. "The Hand of God shirt has deep cultural meaning to the football world, the people of Argentina, and the people of England and I'm certain that the new owner will have immense pride in owning the world’s most iconic football shirt."

However, Maradona's family said the shirt going up for auction is not the correct one since the Argentina star changed at halftime and gave Hodge the one he wore in the first half before the "Hand of God" goal.

His daughter, Dalma Maradona, and his ex-wife, Claudia Villafana, said as much on Argentine radio. His younger brother, Lalo Maradona, supported their claims.

Dalma said her father used to say, "That guy [Hodge] thinks he has the shirt. How am I going to give the shirt from the game of my life to someone?"

Yet Sotheby's hired an outside firm, Photomatch, to analyze the shirt. The company has done such work on game-worn jerseys from Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Babe Ruth in the past.

"There was indeed a different shirt worn by Maradona in the first half, but there are clear differences between that and what was worn during the goals," Sotheby's director of communications Melica Khansari said. "And so, prior to putting this shirt for sale, we did extensive diligence and scientific research on the item to make sure it was the shirt worn by Maradona in the second half for the two goals."

Argentina went on to win that World Cup with a 3-2 victory over West Germany in the final. It also won the 1978 World Cup but has not triumphed in the tournament since.

Maradona died at the age of in 60 in 2020.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi said he's planning to rethink his soccer future after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in late November.

Messi, who scored a goal in Argentina's 3-0 win over Venezuela on Friday night, said he's only focused on the short term, including the national team's preparations for the World Cup after previously clinching a berth in the 32-team field.

"I don't know what I will do after the World Cup," Messi told reporters. "I am thinking about what is coming. After Qatar, I will have to reassess many things."

He added: "Let's hope these [matches] go the best way possible. But for sure after the World Cup many things will change."

Messi's career took a major turn in August when Barcelona announced it was unable to finalize a contract extension for the club legend because of La Liga's regulations on player registration.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner proceeded to sign with PSG, but his first season with the French giants has seen him score just seven goals in 26 appearances across all competitions.

After the club was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Real Madrid earlier this month, Messi was booed by PSG fans during the next home fixture at the Parc des Princes, a 3-0 win over Bordeaux.

It's a response Messi wasn't accustomed to during his time with Barcelona, which stretched more than two decades after arriving to the Spanish club's famed youth academy, La Masia, at the age of 13.

Meanwhile, the forward previously retired from the Argentina national team in 2016 after a loss to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final.

He later returned to play for La Albiceleste and helped the side captured the 2021 Copa America championship last summer.

Messi didn't provide much detail in his comments, particularly on whether he's considering another retirement from international soccer or even thinking about walking away from the sport for good, but the vague nature of his remarks is sure to attract attention.

In the meantime, Argentina is back in action Tuesday for an away match against Ecuador in World Cup qualifying.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni didn't select superstar forward Lionel Messi for the national team's upcoming World Cup qualifiers as he continues to recover from COVID-19.

ESPN's Adriana Garcia reported Messi will remain with Paris Saint-Germain as La Albiceleste, who've already clinched a berth in the 2022 World Cup, face off with Chile on Jan. 27 and Colombia on Feb. 1.

Messi hasn't played since a Ligue 1 draw against Lorient on Dec. 22. He tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 2 during the league's winter break.

The 34-year-old Argentine posted an update on Instagram last week, saying a full recovery took longer than he expected but also confirmed he'd resumed training.

Messi is tentatively "expected to return" when PSG hosts Reims at the Parc des Princes, per Garcia.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is off to a solid start to his Les Parisiens career with six goals and four assists across 16 appearances between Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

He signed with the French giants in August after his storied Barcelona tenure came to a close because of the Spanish club's financial situation.

With Argentina having already punched its ticket to Qatar for the World Cup, which kicks off in November, the national team may give him the international breaks to rest and recover for the remainder of the 2021-22 club term.

The next qualifiers are scheduled for March and then La Albiceleste are scheduled to face Italy in a clash between the Copa America and Euro champions on June 1.

Winning a World Cup is one of the few boxes Messi hasn't checked off on his career resume, so being at full fitness and in peak form come November is surely a major focus in the months ahead.

With his absence, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala are among the players who will be called on to help lead the Argentina attack in the next set of qualifiers.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi said he's felt "peace of mind" since leading the Argentina national team to the 2021 Copa America championship in July.

Messi, who tied for the tournament lead with four goals and won the Best Player Award, told ESPN's Adriana Garcia on Wednesday he was on cloud nine after the triumph.

"I have peace of mind of having achieved the dream that has been denied to me so many times," he said. "It was like a dream, a spectacular moment. I couldn't believe it had happened. I enjoy watching the images now more than at the time as I was in a daze. I didn't quite understand what was happening."

The Argentine squad had come close at major events on several occasions since Messi made his senior team debut in 2005. It finished as the runner-up in Copa America three times (2007, 2015 and 2016) and also reached the final in the 2014 World Cup.

While Argentina did win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2008, those events are contested differently with mostly U23 players, so Messi and Co. still felt the pressure to win a trophy on one of the sport's biggest stages.

The 34-year-old told ESPN coming up short in previous finals led the external pressure to build:

A part of the media treated us as failures, saying that we didn't feel the [responsibility] of wearing the jersey, that we shouldn't be in the national team.

We tried to be champions before, we were the first ones to want to. It's very difficult to win a World Cup or a Copa America. At the time they didn't value what we did, they only put emphasis on the fact that we didn't achieve the aim. The important thing is to feel satisfied that you have given your all...luckily, the last time [final] was different.

Messi often came under fire for the national team's lack of success, in large part because his scoring rate couldn't match that of what he produced at the club level during a decorated career with Barcelona.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner scored 672 goals in 778 appearances (0.86 goals per game) for Barca. He's tallied 76 goals in 152 matches (0.5 GPG) for La Albiceleste.

Finally capturing a major title helped alleviate some of that pressure from his shoulders, and he credited Argentine manager Lionel Scaloni for guiding the side to the long-awaited trophy.

"Scaloni is one of us, he has great merit," Messi told ESPN. "It was he who selected the national team, the one who believed, the one who took charge at a difficult moment. He gave us confidence, he was bringing in new people, he always knew what he wanted and we grew. From the Copa América 2019 we took a leap."

A month after Copa America, Messi completed a shocking move from Barcelona to PSG to start a new chapter of his club career. He made one appearance for Les Parisiens as a substitute before returning to international duty with Argentina.

La Albiceleste scored a 3-1 win over Venezuela in World Cup qualifying last Thursday before Sunday's marquee clash with rival Brazil was suspended because of a COVID-19 protocol controversy.

The match was abandoned minutes into it after Brazilian health officials accused four Argentine players of breaking quarantine rules when entering the country.

Messi and Co. finish the international window Thursday night when they host Bolivia.