Messi brace for Argentina downs Venezuela in emotional World Cup farewell

A sold retired stadium of 85 1000 successful Buenos Aires witnesser 2 farewell Lionel Messi goals successful World Cup qualifier.

Lionel Messi made definite helium had bully memories of playing a location qualifier with Argentina’s nationalist squad for the past clip successful his illustrious career.

The erstwhile Barcelona guardant scored doubly connected Thursday successful Argentina’s 3-0 triumph implicit Venezuela successful beforehand of a raucous sellout assemblage that had gathered astatine Estadio Monumental to bid him farewell.

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“Being capable to decorativeness this mode present is what I’ve ever dreamed of,” Messi said.

“I’ve experienced a batch of things connected this pitch, some bully and not truthful good, but it’s ever a joyousness to play successful Argentina, successful beforehand of our fans.”

Lionel Messi of Argentina stands successful beforehand of 1 of the galore banners prepared for him by the location fans during the World Cup qualifier [Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images]

Messi is yet to springiness immoderate clues astir erstwhile helium volition discontinue from the apical level of the sport, but the qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup volition statesman successful 2027, erstwhile helium is 40.

The Argentina skipper scored successful the 39th and 80th minutes, and Lautaro Martinez added a extremity successful the 76th.

Messi present has 36 goals successful South American World Cup qualifiers and remains the all-time scoring leader.

His Inter Miami teammate, Luis Suarez, has 29 goals successful continental qualifying, but helium has retired from Uruguay’s nationalist team. Bolivia’s Marcelo Moreno Martins is 3rd with 22.

Argentina’s guardant Lionel Messi bids last farewell arsenic a subordinate connected location ungraded arsenic helium leaves the tract successful Buenos Aires [Juan Mabromata/AFP]

Looking ahead, Messi clarified helium volition lone vie successful adjacent year’s World Cup if helium feels physically fit.

“I’m excited, eager. It’s time by day, feeling the sensations. If I consciousness good, I bask it; if not, I’d alternatively not beryllium there,” helium said, adding that the 9 months until the tourney kicks disconnected “is a agelong time”.

Already qualified, the World Cup champions extended their tally to 38 points and volition stay atop the South American qualifying standings careless of what happens successful the past circular adjacent Tuesday.

Venezuela, trying to suffice for its archetypal World Cup, remains connected 18 points and successful seventh place. They’re inactive successful contention to beforehand to an intercontinental playoff.

Lionel Messi of Argentina shoots to people his team’s archetypal extremity during the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier lucifer against Venezuela [Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images]

Source:

Al Jazeera and quality agencies