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Messi was persuaded out of international
retirement in 2016, however, and many of his compatriots were
hoping he might be cajoled into going on to the 2026 World Cup
in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"I think not. This was my last World Cup," Messi told Titan
Sports ahead of Argentina's friendly against Australia in
Beijing.
"I'll see how things go but in principle, I won't go to the next
World Cup."
The seven-times Ballon d'Or winner, who recently announced a
move from Paris St Germain to Inter Miami in the United States,
also paid tribute to his former coach at Barcelona, Pep
Guardiola.
Messi and Guardiola won two Champions League titles together at
the Catalan club and Messi was delighted the Spaniard had
finally clinched club football's biggest prize with Manchester
City last weekend.
"I talk a lot with Pep as we still maintain frequent contact. I
am very happy about his achievement, winning the recent UEFA
Champions League," Messi told the Chinese sports paper in an
interview.
"He is the best coach in the world, and although, in my opinion,
he didn't need to win this Champions League title to prove that,
it further demonstrates that he is the world's top coach, which
is an achievement he deserves."
Argentina play the Socceroos at the newly rebuilt Workers
Stadium in the Chinese capital on Thursday.
(Writing by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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