The 2018 World Cup in Russia will not be Lionel Messi's final appearance in the global tournament, Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said here. Messi, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, is 30.

The FC Barcelona superstar is "very thrilled with the possibility of starting a new tournament that puts him in a suitable place," Sampaoli said on Friday, stressing that it will be Messi who decides when to call an end to his international career, Efe reported. "I do not think this will be his last World Cup," Sampaoli said of his captain after announcing the starting 11 for Saturday's World Cup opener against Iceland.