Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Lionel Messi, Football, Argentina, Barcelona, FC Barcelona, Inter Miami, FIFA World Cup, Football World Cup, Venezuela
Ben McCrum
Topics: Lionel Messi, Football, Argentina, Barcelona, FC Barcelona, Inter Miami, FIFA World Cup, Football World Cup, Venezuela
Lionel Messi has reignited rumours about his retirement after his wife shared an emotional message following what could be his final Argentina home match.
In the early hours of Friday morning, Argentina comfortably beat Venezuela 3-0 in their CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Despite the fact that Argentina have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to take place across North America, the stadium was sold out as many expect it to have been Messi's final home match in blue and white.
Having turned 38 over the summer, it's long been known that Messi's career is approaching its end, although he is yet to confirm exactly when he plans to hang up the boots for good.
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But after the win over Venezuela, the Argentina legend offered some insight into his future plans, suggesting that his retirement may be even sooner than expected.
Ahead of the match, Messi couldn't hold back the tears as the thousands of fans in attendance chanted his name to show appreciation for everything that he has given the national team during his career.
Having led his country to glory in the 2023 World Cup in Qatar, many fans had hoped that he would again captain Argentina in 2026, but his comments after Friday's match have suggested that this likely will not be the case.
Speaking after the match, the 38-year-old admitted: "Same as I said before about the World Cup that I don't think I'll play another. Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won't make it."
However, Messi didn't completely rule out the possibility that he could still play in the competition should he feel physically capable, adding: "But well, we're almost there, so I'm excited and motivated to play it.
"Like I always say, I go day by day, going by how I feel. I'm trying to feel good and, above all, being honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it, but when I don't, honestly, I don't have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don't feel good.
"So we'll see. I haven't made a decision about the World Cup."
Shortly after the match against Venezuela ended, Antonela Roccuzzo, Messi's wife of eight years, took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to her husband following what could be his final home match.
Sharing an image of her husband on the pitch alongside their sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, she wrote: "Proud of you, every step you take and everything you built with love and effort.
"How lucky are we to be with you on this path!!! We love you."