The 38-year-old football icon says Thursday’s World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires could be his last competitive match for Argentina on home soil, sparking a frenzy among fans eager to witness a historic moment.
September 3, 2025: Lionel Messi is the center of attention as Argentina gets ready for its penultimate home World Cup qualifier. Messi has intimated that Thursday’s game against Venezuela could be his last competitive game for the national team at home.
Before the game, the 38-year-old superstar said, “This is a very, very special match for me because it’s the last qualifying match.” Many people think he will retire after the 2026 World Cup, when Argentina will defend its championship. The comments have led to speculation regarding his retirement.
No Official Word
Messi hasn’t officially said when he’ll retire, but he did say that the match at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires is important to him and that his family will be there to share the event with him. The 2030 World Cup qualifiers will start in 2027, when Messi will be 40 years old.
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) is trying to make the most of the situation by charging between $100 and $500 for tickets to the game versus Venezuela.
“The Last Dance is Coming”
After Messi’s comments, CONMEBOL, the governing body for South American soccer, wrote on social media that “the last dance is coming,” along with a photo of Messi in an Argentina shirt.
Franco Armani, a former goalkeeper for Argentina, has also told Messi to think about retiring, saying that “no one is ready” for him to leave the national team.
Argentina has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. On Thursday, they will host Venezuela, and on September 9, they will travel to Ecuador for their last qualifier.