Messi Prepares for His ‘Final Match’ in the Most Special Way
Lionel Messi has not officially announced his retirement date, but he knows that next week’s match against Venezuela will be his last time playing a World Cup qualifier at home for Argentina.
Messi is preparing for what could be his last appearance in a World Cup qualifier on home soil.
“This will be a very, very special match for me because it’s the last qualifier,” Messi shared on Wednesday night after helping Inter Miami beat Orlando City to reach the Leagues Cup final.
Argentina has already secured a spot at the 2026 World Cup, and they will face Venezuela next Thursday at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires in the penultimate round of the South American qualifiers. After that, the last match will be an away trip to Ecuador on September 9.
Messi has hinted at the possibility of retiring from international football after the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina will defend the title they won in Qatar 2022. By the time the 2030 World Cup qualifiers begin in 2027, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will be 40 years old.
“I don’t know if there will be any friendlies or other opportunities after the Venezuela match, but this is definitely a very special game. My family will be there with me: my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings. We will experience it together. I don’t know what will happen next,” Messi said.
Right after Messi’s statement, CONMEBOL posted a message on social media: “The last dance is coming,” along with an image of Messi wearing the Argentina national team jersey.
Messi has given everything to Argentina.
Meanwhile, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is looking to capitalize on this historic moment by raising ticket prices — the cheapest tickets are $100 (over 2.6 million VND), while the most expensive reach $500 (over 13 million VND).
Currently, Messi is Argentina’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player. After leading the Albiceleste to World Cup glory in 2022, Messi is widely considered to have completed his football legacy. To many experts and fans, he is the greatest footballer in history.
After all that Messi has given to the beautiful game, he is simply an immortal icon. Watching the 38-year-old superstar play as long as possible feels like a privilege, though some argue that it may be time for Messi to rest, having achieved every major glory. For him, playing football is now pure joy, and as long as that passion remains, his feet will keep dancing.
This could be his last World Cup qualifier at home for Argentina — then perhaps his final game for the Albiceleste, followed by his last club appearance, and eventually, the final match of his career. That day will surely come for Messi. Fans are likely already bracing for that fateful moment. The sadness will be inevitable, but sometimes stopping at the right time is what ensures a legend is remembered forever.
