AFCON 2025
Inter Miami and Argentina captain Lionel Messi has admitted that next week’s World Cup qualifier against Venezuela could very well be his final competitive international on home soil.
The 38-year-old, who continues to dazzle in MLS, has twice retired from international soccer and repeatedly warned that the 2022 World Cup would be his last.
It remains to be seen if he will make it to the finals hosted across North America next summer, but he appears to have ruled out the prospect of helping his nation through another qualifying campaign beyond 2026.
After scoring twice to send Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup final on Wednesday, Messi was asked if Argentina’s clash with Venezuela next week would be his final World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires.
“Yes, it’s going to be special, a very special match for me because it’s the last qualifier game,” he told Apple TV. “I don’t know if there will be a friendly or more games afterward, but yes, it’s a very special match.
“That’s why my family will be with me, my wife, my kids, my parents, my siblings, and also as many relatives as possible from my wife’s side, and we’ll experience it that way.
“After that, like I said, I don’t know what will happen, but we’re going in with that mindset. Thank you.”
