In a poignant farewell to competitive international football on home soil, Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass, scoring a brace in Argentina’s commanding 3-0 victory over Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Monumental. The match, marking Messi’s final competitive appearance in an Argentina jersey on Argentine soil, was an emotional spectacle for fans, players, and the footballing legend himself.
Twenty years ago, on October 9, 2005, a young Messi made his debut for Argentina at this very stadium in a World Cup qualifier. Fast forward to 2025, the same stage bore witness to his final competitive act at home—a fitting bookend to an illustrious career. As the 38-year-old stretched in his black Argentina jacket before the game, the weight of the moment was palpable. His eyes glistened with emotion, mirroring the tearful stands packed with fans who knew this could be their last glimpse of their hero in a competitive match for La Albiceleste.
Messi didn’t disappoint. In the 39th minute, Leandro Paredes seized a loose ball in midfield and sent a long pass to Julián Álvarez. The Manchester City star darted inside, evading a defender, before laying off a delicate pass to Messi in the box. With two defenders and the goalkeeper in his path, most would opt for power. Not Messi. With surgical precision, he chipped the ball over the onrushing keeper, the ball floating into the net like a timeless work of art. The Monumental erupted, chanting “Olé, Olé, Olé… Messi, Messi, Messi!”
His second goal came in the 80th minute, a simple yet sublime finish from a Thiago Almada cross, as Messi tapped in with his left foot to double his tally. It marked his seventh goal in the current World Cup qualifying campaign, briefly drawing him level with Colombia’s Luis Díaz as the top scorer, before reclaiming the lead. The third goal, scored by Lautaro Martínez in the 76th minute off a Nicolás Paz cross, owed its origins to a Messi free-kick that sliced through Venezuela’s defense.
Despite a disallowed goal in the 89th minute due to an offside call after a brilliant pass from Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s performance was a reminder of his enduring genius. Venezuela, already eliminated from World Cup contention, failed to register a single shot on goal, while Argentina peppered their net with nine attempts.
The match wasn’t just about football—it was a celebration of Messi’s legacy. His three sons stood with him during the national anthem, sung by Argentine artist Eugeni Quevedo, as emotions ran high. Fans in the stands, including Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo, oscillated between joy and sorrow, aware that this could be his final competitive outing at home. Reports from *La Nación* suggest the Argentine Football Association (AFA) may organize a friendly in June 2026 before the World Cup, potentially offering one last glimpse of Messi in Argentina. If not, this match will stand as his final bow on home soil.
Argentina, already qualified for the World Cup with 38 points from 17 matches, now head to Ecuador for their final qualifier on September 10. For now, the Monumental remains a canvas painted with Messi’s brilliance, a memory fans will cherish forever.
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