Messi says goodbye: Last qualifying match in Argentina against Venezuela

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Messi Says Goodbye to World Cup Qualifiers at Home

The Argentine star, Lionel Messi, has confirmed that his next match at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, against Venezuela, will mark his last home appearance in the World Cup qualifiers. The news was revealed by the Albiceleste’s captain himself after Inter Miami’s victory over Orlando City in the ‘Leagues Cup’ semi-final, where the Florida team won with a score of 3-1.

“Yes, it’s going to be special, it’s going to be a very special match for me because it’s the last qualifying match. I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more matches afterwards,” Messi said.

Lionel Messi
This announcement puts an end to speculation about whether the 2026 World Cup would be his last appearance in the tournament, making it clear that next Thursday’s match will be his farewell to the South American qualifiers at home. Argentina, already qualified for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, leads the qualifying table with 35 points, ten more than Ecuador and Brazil, thus ensuring an atmosphere of celebration in their last two matches against Venezuela and Ecuador. Thursday’s encounter in Buenos Aires will be filled with emotion, with the presence of Messi’s family on such a significant day. “My family, my wife, my children, my parents are going to accompany me. We are going to experience it that way. After that, I don’t know what will happen, but we are going with that intention,” he added.
Lionel Messi con la selección argentina
Messi, who has conquered two Copa América (2021 and 2024), the Finalissima 2022 and the 2022 World Cup with ‘Scaloneta’, has been called up by Lionel Scaloni for the last qualifying matches, including the match against Venezuela on September 4 and against Ecuador on the 9th.
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