Legendary Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi played his final home match for the Argentina national team. The game took place on the night of September 4–5 in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela, ending in a 3-0 victory for Argentina, reports Baltimore Chronicle.
The match was held at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Messi led the team onto the field wearing the captain’s armband and scored a brace, becoming the decisive player in the victory. After the final whistle, the 38-year-old veteran delivered an emotional speech, which brought many fans in attendance to tears.
“I feel so many emotions. I have experienced so much on this field. I have always been happy to play for Argentina alongside our fellow countrymen. For many years, we enjoyed every single match. I am very glad to end this chapter in this way, here. This is what I always dreamed of,” Messi said.
The Argentina national team will conclude the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on September 10 with an away match against Ecuador. Messi also did not rule out the possibility of missing the tournament in the United States: “Everything I said earlier about the World Cup remains the same: I do not think I will play in another one. It is a matter of my age. The most logical assumption would be that I will not participate in this tournament. But we are almost there, and I am motivated to play. I monitor my condition day by day and would prefer not to play if I do not feel well. So we’ll see. I have not yet made a decision regarding the World Cup.”
Messi made his debut for the Argentina national team in 2005. He has played a total of 194 matches and scored 114 goals, holding records for both in the “Albiceleste” squad. During his international career, Messi won the 2022 World Cup, the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, as well as the 2022 Finalissima title.
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