Argentina’s Lionel Messi (left) and Julian Alvarez celebrate after scoring during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar on December 13, 2022.
| Photo Credit: AP
Lionel Messi is back in the World Cup final with Argentina on his mission to win soccer’s biggest prize for the first time.
And, at 35, he could hardly be playing any better.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot the opening goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar on December 13, 2022.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Messi converted a penalty and had a hand in the other two goals by Julián Álvarez, leading Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia on December 13 that set up a meeting with either France or Morocco in Sunday’s title match.
It will be Messi’s second World Cup final — Argentina lost the other one to Germany in 2014 — in what might be his…