Lionel Messi has not officially announced his retirement, but he acknowledges that the upcoming match against Venezuela might be his last at home for Argentina’s national team during a World Cup qualifier.
“It’s going to be a very, very special match for me because it’s the last qualifying match,” stated the 38-year-old Messi after Inter Miami reached the Leagues Cup final by defeating Orlando City.
Argentina has secured a spot in the next World Cup and will face Venezuela next Thursday at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires for the penultimate round of South American qualifiers, with their final match set for Ecuador on September 9.
Messi has suggested he may retire from the national squad after the upcoming World Cup, where Argentina aims to defend their title earned in Qatar in 2022.
The qualification rounds for the 2030 World Cup will kick off in 2027, by which time Messi will be 40 years old.
“I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more matches after (Venezuela), but it is a very special match, so my family will be there with me: my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings,” Messi mentioned. “We’re going to live it like that. I don’t know what will happen next.”
In light of Messi’s imminent home match, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is raising ticket prices, with costs ranging from $100 to $500.
