Lionel Messi lived a night of pure emotion at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, in what was his last home game for the national team. Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0, in matchday 17 of the South American finding phase for the 2026 World Cup, and the star shone again, panting in front of a party mood stadium.
The emotion began in warming, extended at the entrance to the field accompanied by the children and culminated with tears during the national anthem, before a unique atmosphere of tribute to nightgown 10.
Messi was immediately thrilled to warm up in his last game in Argentina for the national team 🥹
— B24 (@B24PT)
No player in football history has a better moment like this. Leo Messi 🐐
– In this @Kesifcb)
“Being able to finish this way here is what I always dreamed. For many years I had the affection in Barcelona, and I have… my dream was to have it here too, in my country, with my people […] And everything we lived was beautiful. “🩵
— B24 (@B24PT)
Within the four lines, Messi corresponded to the affection: he opened the scoring after 39 minutes, launched the team to the victory and returned to the end, at 86 ‘, after Lautaro Martínez signed the second Argentine goal.
Messi.
— B24 (@B24PT)
GOAAAAAAAALLLLLL LEO MESSI AGAIN!
3-0! THE 🐐 GETS HIS SECOND GOAL OF THE GAME!
— Fan Club | Leo Messi 🔟 (@WeAreMessi)
At 38, Messi has reached even one more milestone: sum now 72 games in South American qualifiers, equaling the record of Iván Hurtado, a historic defense of Ecuador.
With this triumph, Argentina remains leader of the qualification, with 38 points, while Venezuela follows in 7th place, in a play-off position, with 18 points.
