Lionel Messi was visibly emotional after playing his final competitive match on Argentine soil, helping his side to a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Venezuela at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday night.
The Argentina captain scored twice, with Lautaro Martínez also on the scoresheet, as the reigning world champions delivered a fitting send-off for Messi in front of his home fans. After the match, Messi reflected on what the night meant to him.
“There are so many emotions, I’ve experienced so many things in this field,” he said. “It’s always a joy to play in Argentina with our people. We’ve been enjoying match after match for many years. I’m thrilled, being able to finish in this way here is what I always dreamed of.”
Messi, Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer and most-capped player, made his World Cup debut in 2006 at the age of 18. He has played a vital role on the international stage, guiding Argentina to the 2014 and 2022 World Cup finals, winning the latter in Qatar.
“For many years, I have had the affection of Barcelona, and my dream was to have it here too, in my country with my people,” Messi said. “For many years, a lot of things were said, but well, I’ll stay with all the good. All the good with the group that tried it, couldn’t get it, and concentrate. Then, I was given it, along with some of the players on the roster and the previous one. Everything we lived was beautiful. Today was the last one for points here.”
Argentina had already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, topping the CONMEBOL standings with 35 points from 16 games. Despite this, all eyes were on Messi and whether he would be part of the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
When asked about the possibility of playing in what would be his sixth World Cup, the Inter Miami forward remained non-committal.
“Same as I said before about the World Cup, that I don’t think I’ll play another. Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it,” he said. “But well, we’re almost there, so I’m excited and motivated to play it. Like I always say, I go day by day, going by how I feel.”
“I’m trying to feel good and, above all, be honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it; however, when I don’t, I honestly don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I’m not feeling well. So, we’ll see. I haven’t decided for the World Cup.”
“I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left. So, we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully, I’ll have a good preseason in 2026 and finish this MLS season well, and then I’ll decide.”
