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Emotional Messi Scores Twice in Possible Final Home Game for Argentina.
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The 38-year-old hints 2026 World Cup may be beyond him.
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Fans at Monumental stadium celebrate what felt like a farewell.
Lionel Messi could not hold back tears on Friday, September 5, as he stepped onto the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, possibly for the last time in front of Argentina’s home crowd. The 38-year-old icon, regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time, was visibly emotional during warm-up as thousands of supporters chanted his name and unveiled a massive banner in his honour.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that fans celebrated Messi’s journey, recalling his crowning moment at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he led Argentina to glory after years of near misses with the national team. The evening proved even more memorable as Argentina, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup alongside Brazil and Ecuador, delivered a 3-0 victory over Venezuela. Messi wrote his name on the scoresheet twice, scripting a near-perfect farewell to competitive football on Argentine soil.
Speaking after the match, Messi hinted that the 2026 World Cup could be beyond his reach. “I don’t think I’ll play in another World Cup,” he told Diario AS. “The most logical conclusion is that I won’t be, but here we are. I’m hopeful and eager. But it’s day by day, game by game.”
The Inter Miami forward admitted that his fitness will determine his international future. Despite scoring 27 goals and providing 11 assists in 34 appearances this season, Messi has struggled with recurring injuries. “It’s clear that today was the last one with points at stake here. Day by day I try to feel good and, above all, be honest with myself,” he said.
Messi expressed gratitude for the moment, calling it a dream fulfilled. “For many years, I received a lot of love in Barcelona, and my dream was to also have it here in my country with my people. I’m left with all the good things we did,” he said.
Argentina will conclude their qualifying campaign away to Ecuador next Tuesday. Whether Messi continues beyond 2026 remains uncertain, but for fans at the Monumental, Friday night felt like a heartfelt farewell to their greatest star.
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