The final whistle in Buenos Aires was meant to be a celebration. Argentina had beaten Venezuela 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier, Lionel Messi had scored twice, and fans at the Monumental had turned the evening into a festival for their captain. After all, he was perhaps playing his last-ever match on Argentina home soil. But when Messi spoke after the game, it all quickly turned bittersweet.
Messi: Most logical thing is I won’t make it
At 38, Messi remains Argentina’s talisman, but he admitted that the clock is ticking. Asked if he would be there at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Messi was as candid as ever. “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, before pausing and adding, “But well, we’re almost there, so I’m excited and motivated to play it. Like I always say, I go day by day, match by match.”
Messi stressed that he has not taken a final call, but he’s being honest with himself. “When I feel good, I enjoy it, but when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good. So we’ll see. I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup. Match by match, 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.”
Emotional farewell for GOAT
If this was indeed his last World Cup qualifying match in Argentina, Messi made sure to leave memories behind. His chip in the first half and a calm finish in the second sent the Monumental into raptures. The brace also pushed him to 36 goals in South American World Cup qualifiers, the most by any player. And with his 72nd appearance, he equaled Colombia’s Ivan Hurtado for the most games in CONMEBOL qualifiers.
The crowd treated every touch like a gift, chanting his name long after the goals were scored. Messi, for his part, brought his children onto the pitch before kick-off, soaking in a moment that would even make a grown man cry. However, Messi fans would be hoping his body carries him till the FIFA World Cup 2026, where Argentina plays as the defending champs.
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