Messi Scores In Home Farewell For Argentina And Remains Tight-lipped On World Cup

Lionel Messi made judge he had bully memories of playing a location qualifier pinch Argentina for nan past clip successful his illustrious career.

Messi scored doubly connected Thursday successful Argentina’s 3-0 triumph complete Venezuela successful beforehand of a raucous sellout crowd that had gathered astatine Estadio Monumental to bid him farewell.

“Being capable to decorativeness this measurement present is what I’ve ever dreamed of,” Messi said. “I’ve knowledgeable a batch of things connected this pitch, some bully and not truthful good, but it’s ever a joyousness to play successful Argentina, successful beforehand of our fans.”

Messi is yet to springiness immoderate clues astir erstwhile he will discontinue from internationals. But nan qualifiers for nan 2030 World Cup will statesman successful 2027, erstwhile he is 40.

The Argentina skipper scored successful nan 39th and 80th minutes. He was denied a hat-trick successful nan dying moments erstwhile his effort was ruled retired by an offside flag. Lautaro Martínez added a extremity successful nan 76th.

Messi has 36 goals successful South American World Cup qualifiers and remains nan all-time scoring leader. His Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez has 29 goals successful continental qualifying, but he has retired from world duty.

Looking ahead, Messi clarified that he will only compete successful adjacent year’s World Cup if he feels physically fit.

“Same arsenic I said earlier astir nan World Cup that I don’t deliberation I’ll play another. Because of my age, nan astir logical point is that I won’t make it,” he said. “But well, we’re almost location truthful I’m excited and motivated to play it. Like I ever say, I spell time by day, lucifer by match. That’s it, taking it time by day, going by really I feel.

“Day by day, trying to consciousness bully and supra all, being honorable pinch myself. When I consciousness good, I bask it, but erstwhile I don’t, honestly, I don’t person a bully time, truthful I for illustration not to beryllium location if I don’t consciousness good. So we’ll see. I haven’t made a determination astir nan World Cup.

“Match by match, I’ll decorativeness nan season, past I’ll person preseason, and location will beryllium six months left. So we’ll spot really I feel. Hopefully I’ll person a bully preseason successful 2026 and decorativeness this MLS play good and past I’ll decide.”

Already qualified, nan World Cup champions extended their tally to 38 points and will stay atop nan South American qualifying standings sloppy of what happens successful nan past information adjacent Tuesday.

Defeat for Venezuela confirmed Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay joined Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador arsenic nan automatic qualifiers from South America.

Colombia and Uruguay marked their qualifications pinch 3-0 wins complete Bolivia and Peru respectively, while Paraguay and Ecuador drew 0-0. Brazil hit Chile 3-0 successful nan night’s different match.

Venezuela person a one-point lead complete Bolivia pinch 1 lucifer remaining successful nan conflict for a play-off spot