Football icon Lionel Messi made what was widely considered his final appearance for the Argentine national team on home soil, leading his squad to a commanding 3-0 victory over Venezuela. This crucial match, part of the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifiers, took place on September 5th at the iconic Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Messi, ever the talisman, delighted the home crowd by netting two goals, marking a memorable farewell to his adoring fans, while also hinting at a potential return for the 2026 World Cup.
The Albiceleste’s dominant performance saw their captain, Lionel Messi, open the scoring in the 39th minute and later seal the victory with his second goal in the 80th minute. The other goal for Argentina came from the prolific Lautaro Martinez in the 76th minute. Messi’s brace was more than just a contribution to the scoreline; it was a heartfelt gift to the supporters, serving as a fitting climax to what many believe could be his last competitive match for the national team on Argentine territory.
Following the final whistle, speculation was rife regarding the Inter Miami star’s future involvement with the national team, particularly concerning the upcoming 2026 World Cup. When pressed on the matter, Messi offered a brief but hopeful response: “We will wait and see about that.” The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first edition to feature an expanded format with 48 participating teams. Many anticipate that if Messi does participate, it would likely represent his final appearance on the global stage.
After the comprehensive win against Venezuela, the captain and 2022 World Cup winner shared his gratitude and emotional connection with the fans. He expressed: “I received many special feelings, feelings I have experienced through many of these things on the field. I always feel good playing for the Argentine national team and all our people, and we are truly very happy about these many years of matches. I am very happy to be able to finish now, which is what I always dreamed of.” His words resonated deeply, underscoring his profound bond with the nation and its supporters.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain sensation stands as Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer, boasting an incredible 114 goals since his debut at the age of 18 in 2006. His illustrious career has seen him lead Argentina to triumph in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and secure two Copa América titles, solidifying his legacy as one of football’s greatest.
Argentina is now set to play their final 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on September 9th. Meanwhile, the CONMEBOL qualification journey has seen several other nations secure their automatic berths for the 2026 tournament. Uruguay, Colombia, and Paraguay have joined Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador in booking their places in the expanded World Cup in North America.
Further down the CONMEBOL standings, Venezuela, currently in 7th position with 18 points, is still battling for a playoff spot, closely pursued by Bolivia in 8th place with 17 points. These two teams will compete for a half-spot from the South American confederation, which would grant them the opportunity to contest another half-spot in the inter-confederation playoffs against a team from another continent. Unfortunately, historically strong South American teams like Chile (10th) and Peru (9th) have already seen their hopes for the 2026 World Cup dashed, currently sitting at the bottom of the qualification table.
