Even the family comes along: Messi shines - and may never play in Argentina again

Even the family comes along Messi shines - and may never play in Argentina again 05.09.2025, 06:05 Uhr

Perhaps it's Lionel Messi's last official match at home. In any case, it's a special one. His entire family is there as he scores again for Argentina. The defending champions can head into the World Cup with confidence.

Superstar Lionel Messi did not disappoint the home fans in what may have been his last competitive match in Argentina. The now 38-year-old national team captain even scored twice in the 3-0 win against Venezuela in front of around 85,000 fans at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

The striker first scored in the 39th minute of a qualifying match for next year's FIFA World Cup, making it 1-0. Four minutes after Lautaro Martínez made it 2-0 in the 76th minute, Messi scored to make it 3-0 for Argentina. The defending champions had already qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

World Cup ticket already secured

For Messi, it was most likely his last home game with the national team. Only in the event that Argentina unexpectedly schedules a friendly at home before the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico next summer, would there likely be another one. However, the association is happy to play friendly matches abroad because of the higher revenue.

Presumably knowing this, Messi had invited his family to Buenos Aires. His wife and their children, his parents and siblings, and his wife's family would all be there, the Inter Miami player had said before the match.

Paraguay, Uruguay and Colombia qualify for the World Cup

Although Messi hasn't yet made his plans clear for the coming year, it's assumed he'll participate in the World Cup once more—and then end his career with the national team. His contract with Inter Miami in the USA is valid until the end of this year, but an extension has already been negotiated, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, Paraguay qualified for next year's World Cup after a 0-0 draw with Ecuador. Uruguay also secured its place at the World Cup finals with a 3-0 win against Peru, as did Colombia with its 3-0 victory over Bolivia. Record world champions Brazil, who have also already qualified, beat Chile 3-0 on the penultimate matchday of World Cup qualifying.