Messi scored two goals as Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0. He couldn't hold back his tears at the end of the match. This could be his last game for the national team. Like many others, I think he wants to play one last time in the next World Cup, but last night's game had the feel of a final match. Most likely, this was his last match in Argentina, in front of his home crowd. I don't think he'll retire without playing in the World Cup one last time.
It was very interesting that all matches outside Paraguay game ended 3-0. All four home teams won by the same score. All teams participating in the cup have been determined ahead of the final matches. Only the team advancing to the play-off remains to be decided. It will be either Venezuela or Bolivia.
Messi's tears hit me hard. It is a closure now. He now has 114 international goals, 36 in qualifiers, both record numbers. And add the fact that he has scored 19 times at the Monumental, more than any stadium of his life, and, well... this was a farewell that was acted out to the last detail. Scaloni even was filmed crying before the game. Argentina had already secured first place, and as such it was more of a party than a contest - a luxury you cannot afford too often in South American qualifiers
That being said, what he says after ("day by day"?) and the reason he did not go to Ecuador to save legs implies that he is keeping the door to 2026 open. He will be 39, more older than Zidane was in 2006 or Maradona in 1994. His output this season (27G + 11A at club level) remains elite, though. I would not rule out a final World Cup cameo should his body hold it. The federation would build around it, yet Scaloni has already said that Argentina can win without Messi, and that is why players such as Mastantuono (Real Madrid, 18 years old, 69 touches, 86% accuracy in his debut) and Nico Paz are being thrown on