DOHA: Lionel Messi is regarded as the greatest footballer to play the game. The hype around the FIFA World Cup is even higher as it is probably the legend's last appearance with Argentina at the global footballing event. The FIFA World Cup is an elusive trophy in the Argentina captain's celebrated career and many hope that this time he will win it. In the opening match of their World Cup campaign, Argentina suffered a shocking defeat against Saudi Arabia, but since then, the team turned around things and has won all their matches to enter the semifinals.

Lionel Messi, in a recent interview, said this is likely to be his last World Cup. Therefore, there are rumors that Messi will retire from international football after the global event in Qatar. Ahead of the team's semifinal with Croatia, Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni has given an update in this regard.

"We will hope he continues playing. Let’s see if he does. We will keep enjoying him, that’s important for us and for the world of football", he said. Scaloni added that the match against Croatia will be very tough.

There are many other rare achievements waiting for Messi as enters the field against Croatia in the World Cup semi-final. He will join Germany's Lothar Matthäus as the most-capped player in the World Cup with 25 matches. Both players have played in five World Cups. And if he scores one more goal, Messi will become the player with the most goals for Argentina in the World Cup.

Argentina v Croatia semi-final tonight

Lionel Messi's Argentina and Luka Modric's Croatia will face each other today to secure a place in the final of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The match between Argentina and Croatia will start at 12.30 PM IST at the Lusail Stadium.

Argentina secured the semi-final spot by overcoming the challenge posed by the Netherlands in the quarter-final by beating them in the penalty shootout. Croatia qualified for the last four after defeating the five-time World Cup champions Brazil in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals.