Buenos Aires, 5 September 2025 — Lionel Messi delivered a fitting farewell performance on home soil, scoring twice as Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Mâs Monumental.
The 38-year-old captain, visibly moved throughout the evening, walked onto the pitch with his three sons before kick-off and was greeted by thunderous applause from more than 80,000 supporters.
Messi opened the scoring in the 39th minute, smashing Julián Álvarez’s cut-back into the top corner. Lautaro Martínez extended the lead in the 76th minute with a diving header, before Messi struck again four minutes later from a Thiago Almada assist.
“It’s a dream come true to end this way here, in front of my people,” Messi said after the match. “For many years I had the love of Barcelona, but I always wanted to feel the same in my own country — and today I did.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who guided Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, now has 114 goals in 194 international appearances. While speculation continues about his retirement, Messi stressed that no decision has been made.
“I’m trying to be honest with myself,” he said. “When I feel good, I enjoy it. When I don’t, I prefer not to be there. I haven’t decided about the World Cup yet — I’ll see how I feel next year.”
Argentina, already assured of qualification for the 2026 World Cup, remain at the top of the South American standings.
