Coach Scaloni recently announced Messi's inclusion in the squad for the final two 2026 World Cup qualifiers: against Venezuela on 5/9 and away against Ecuador on 10/9. Following these matches, the reigning World Cup champions will play two friendlies in South Korea and Japan in November, another friendly in Singapore, and compete in the Intercontinental Cup against Spain at a yet-to-be-determined European venue in 3/2025.
Argentina will then participate in the 2026 World Cup in June. After this tournament, Messi is likely to retire from international football. Therefore, the match against Venezuela on 5/9 may be the last opportunity for fans to witness the 38-year-old forward playing at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
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Messi celebrates his hat-trick during Argentina's 6-0 victory over Bolivia at Monumental Stadium on 15/10/2024. Photo: Reuters |
Messi celebrates his hat-trick during Argentina's 6-0 victory over Bolivia at Monumental Stadium on 15/10/2024. Photo: Reuters
"Unless something changes, the match against Venezuela will be Messi's last game for Argentina on home soil," an inside source at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) told Diario Sport.
Messi debuted for Argentina in 2005. He currently holds two national team records: 193 appearances and 112 goals for the three-time world champions. Messi's goal tally is currently double that of Gabriel Batistuta, the second-highest scorer.
Messi has won four titles with the national team: the 2021 and 2024 Copa America, the 2022 Intercontinental Cup, and the 2022 World Cup. He also won the U20 World Cup in 2005 and an Olympic gold medal with the U23+3 team in 2008.
Argentina currently leads the South American World Cup qualifiers with 35 points after 16 matches, 10 points ahead of second-placed Ecuador and third-placed Brazil. Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil are the first three South American teams to qualify for the final round. The final two matches will determine the remaining three spots and the seventh-placed team that will compete in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Thanh Quy (Diario Sport)
