Lionel Messi is set for an emotional evening on Thursday (September 4) at the iconic Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, as the Argentina football team takes the field against Venezuela in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
While Argentina have already qualified for the mega event scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year, this match will have special significance and the eyes of the footballing world.
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This fixture is likely to be Messi’s final international game in Argentina, as it is the final home game in the qualifiers of the campaign. Their final game in the South American qualifiers will take place away from home against Ecuador on 9th September at Guayaquil.
Post that, the Argentina national team are scheduled to play two friendlies in the USA in the October international break against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, the Argentine Football Assocation (AFA) has confirmed that in the November international break, they will play one match each in Angolo and Indai, but the opponents are not known.
Later in the March international break, Argentina will play Spain in the Finalissima. Post that the next international break, the next assignment for Argentina will be the 2026 World Cup from June 11 to July 19.
After Argentina’s title defence campaign, Messi is expected to retire from international football.
“It’s going to be a very, very special match for me because it’s the last qualifying match. “I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more matches after [Venezuela], but it is a very special match, so my family will be there with me: my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings. We’re going to live it like that. I don’t know what will happen next,” said Messi after the Leagues Cup final.
Later, CONEMBOL also put up a social media post calling the fixture as the ‘last dance.’
Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, got emotional talking about the prospect of Messi bidding adieu to the sport and claimed the team will play another game in Argentina if the eight-time Ballon D’or winner decides to retire.
“Yes, this is a match which Leo has said will be emotional, special, nice because it’s true that it’s our last qualifying match. We have to enjoy it as we’ve always been saying. More than anyone I will enjoy it. Having been able to coach him has honestly been a pleasure and let’s hope that fans who go to the stadium will also enjoy it because he truly deserves it.
“Tomorrow will be a nice match. Exciting. I’m sure that it won’t be his last game in Argentina and I say that we’ll make sure that if he decides it’s the last game, we play another because it’s obvious to do that in the right moment and because he deserves it,” said Scaloni while wiping away tears.
With Messi playing club football in the USA with Inter Miami, he is unlikely to play any club football on Argentina soil and hence this could also be the last competitive match of his career in his home land.