Lionel Messi, Argentina’s iconic captain and 2022 World Cup champion, played what is set to be his final home World Cup qualifier on Thursday night, as the Albiceleste faced Venezuela at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
At 38 years old, the Inter Miami forward has already guided Argentina to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The fixture against Venezuela, however, carried far greater emotional weight, marking the beginning of a farewell from the competition that defined much of Messi’s career.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed ahead of the match that Messi would start and also travel with the squad for their next qualifying fixture. He described the occasion as “special,” paying tribute to Lionel Messi’s unparalleled contribution to the national team.
“Messi has given everything for Argentina, and what he represents goes far beyond football. This is a historic moment for our country,” Scaloni said.
The Monumental Stadium was awash with tributes, with thousands of fans celebrating Messi’s journey from a teenage prodigy to the talisman who led Argentina to Copa América glory in 2021 and a long-awaited World Cup triumph in Qatar the following year.
Social media was also flooded with emotional messages, as supporters around the world expressed admiration for Lionel Messi’s enduring brilliance and his role in elevating Argentina back to the pinnacle of world football.
While Argentina’s qualification is already secured, the night belonged not to the result but to the man who has defined a generation of football.
Source – My News Ghana
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