DOHA: Lionel Scaloni, the manager of Argentina, is banking on Lionel Messi continuing to represent his country long after the FIFA World Cup is done.

The Argentinian superstar had declared at the start of the competition that he will stop playing for his country after the World Cup in Qatar, but Scaloni believes he will change his mind and continue.

"We're hoping he keeps playing. We'll see if he succeeds. He will continue to make us happy, and that matters to us and to the game of "ball." Tuesday's first World Cup semifinal features Croatia after Scaloni's team defeated the Netherlands on penalties. At Lusail Stadium, the 2-0 Copa America champions were held to a 2-2 tie thanks to a double from Wout Weghorst.

I am familiar with Messi, and he has always been that way; he has pride and a strong desire to keep playing football, which makes us pleased. Additionally, they explain to me that their life in Paris is now ideal after a difficult first year of adjustment. The father, his wife, and the kids are all content, Scaloni said.

After losing to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, Argentina's captain hopes to win his country's second World Cup. This would complete his collection of major victories, which already includes every major club trophy and the title won by the national team.

Croatia will attempt to become the first nation to advance to consecutive finals since Brazil in 2002. According to Scaloni, the absence of the suspended Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel wouldn't be a problem because both Angel Di Maria and Rodrigo De Paul would be healthy.

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