Lionel Messi has not yet announced when he is planning to retire, but he knows that next week’s match against Venezuela could be his last to play at home in a world cup qualification with the national team of Argentina.
«It will be a very, very special competition for me because it is the last qualifying match,» said 38-year-old Messi on Wednesday evening after Inter Miami continued the final of the Leagues Cup by beating Orlando City.
Argentina, with a place that is already protected in next year’s World Cup, will organize Venezuela next Thursday at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires for the penultimate Tour of South American qualifications. The last competition is on September 9 in Ecuador.
Messi has hinted that after next year’s World Cup, he will retire from the national team, where Argentina will defend the title it won in Qatar 2022.
The qualifications for the World Cup 2030 start in 2027, when the football star will be 40 years old.
Read also | Lionel Messi Powers Inter Miami along Orlando City in Leagues Cup semi -final
«I don’t know if there will be friends or more competitions after (Venezuela), but it’s a very special match, so my family will be with me: my wife, my children, my parents, my brothers and sisters,» said Messi. «We’re going to live that way. I don’t know what will happen.»
After Messi’s statements, Conmebol, the administrative body of South -American football, wrote on social media that ‘The Last Dance is coming’, with a photo of Messi in an Argentina shirt.
In the meantime, the Argentinian football club (AFA) tries to take advantage of the last home game of Messi by increasing ticket prices, with the cheapest for $ 100 and the most expensive costs around $ 500.
Published on August 29, 2025
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