Messi Stars As Argentina Crush UAE For World Cup Warm-Up

Superstar Lionel Messi warmed up for the World Cup with a goal in an easy 5-0 Argentina victory over United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi in a dress rehearsal for Qatar.

Messi, 35, has a sackful of trophies but the tournament in Qatar is likely to be his final chance to equal the achievement of fellow Argentine great Diego Maradona, a winner in 1986.

Two-time champions Argentina extended their unbeaten run to 36 matches, Messi bagging his 91st international goal as the South Americans romped to a 5-0 victory against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi.

MESSI WITH A BEAUTIFUL GOAL ? pic.twitter.com/WHH9unRGPL

— J. (@Messilizer) November 16, 2022

But Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi is cautious about the team's chances in Qatar, even though they are among the favourites.

"We have a very nice group that is very eager, but we think about going little by little. We know that World Cup groups are not easy," the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner said in an interview with CONMEBOL, the South American football federation.

Argentina launch their campaign against Saudi Arabia on November 22, with Mexico and Poland also in their group.