Lionel Messi could not hold back the tears after what may have been his last competitive appearance for Argentina on home soil. In a poignant evening at the Estadio Monumental, the 38-year-old scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Venezuela, then cast uncertainty over whether he will appear at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The result itself mattered little — Argentina had already sealed qualification for next summer’s tournament — but the occasion belonged entirely to Messi. A hero to millions, the former Barcelona great is approaching the final stretch of an unparalleled international career. The sight of him in tears after the final whistle offered a reminder that his journey with the Albiceleste is now more finite than ever.
Messi’s brace was a fitting way to mark what might prove his last act in Buenos Aires. His first goal lifted the stadium into euphoria, while his second, late in the game, further sealed Argentina’s control. Only the linesman’s flag prevented him from claiming a hat-trick. Between those strikes, Lautaro Martínez added a header to cap a comfortable night for Lionel Scaloni’s side.
For Messi, though, the night was about something deeper than the scoreline. “Being able to finish this way here is what I’ve always dreamed of,” he admitted, struggling to contain his emotions. “I’ve experienced a lot of things on this pitch, both good and not so good, but it’s always a joy to play in Argentina, in front of our fans.”
The joy was tempered by reality. While Messi left the door ajar, his words suggested that the 2026 World Cup may not feature him. “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 explained. “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, trying to feel good and above all, being honest with myself.”
That honesty means Messi is not prepared to stretch himself beyond what feels natural. “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,” he continued. “I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have pre-season, and there will be six months left. So we’ll see how I feel.”
The remarks capture the delicate balance Messi faces: the longing to compete in a fifth World Cup versus the acceptance that age and physical demands cannot be ignored. At 38, still dazzling for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, he continues to defy time, but even for the most decorated player of his generation, there are limits.
Argentina fans will hope he stretches those limits one last time. After all, Messi was the defining figure of their triumph in Qatar in 2022, crowned player of the tournament as he lifted the trophy that had eluded him for so long. That achievement, followed by an eighth Ballon d’Or, seemed to have closed the chapter in perfect fashion. His decision not to commit to 2026 suggests he is wary of overstaying his peak moment, unwilling to risk diminishing the legacy he built so painstakingly.
Yet his tone was not one of farewell so much as of postponement. Messi is keeping the option alive, pointing toward next year’s pre-season as the decisive period. If his body responds well, another tilt at World Cup glory is possible. If not, he has already secured immortality, and Argentina will begin life after Messi with the gratitude of a nation.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s defeat carried wider significance across South America. The loss confirmed Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay as automatic qualifiers alongside Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador. Marcelo Bielsa, guiding Uruguay, will now lead his nation into another World Cup, while Brazil and Colombia remain among the continent’s strongest challengers.
For Argentina, though, these details pale in comparison to Messi’s uncertain future. Each international break now takes on a valedictory feel, each goal celebrated with a touch more sentiment. The player who has carried his country for nearly two decades is nearing his conclusion, and the fans know it.
Messi’s international record stands at 114 goals in 194 caps — extraordinary by any measure — and his influence goes far beyond the statistics. He has been Argentina’s talisman, their captain, and their symbol of excellence. That is why his tears in Buenos Aires carried such weight: they were not simply about another qualifying win but about the inevitable passing of an era.
The 2026 World Cup, spanning Canada, Mexico and the United States from June 11 to July 19, would provide a fitting final stage. The tournament is tailor-made for spectacle, and Messi remains the sport’s biggest attraction. But whether his body allows him one more dance on football’s grandest stage remains the unanswered question.
In the meantime, he will continue with Inter Miami, carrying both club and country on his shoulders while keeping fans guessing about his ultimate decision. The choice, as always, will be his — measured, reflective, and deeply personal.
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