In what could be his final game in Argentina, Lionel Messi delivered a magical performance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier against Venezuela on Friday. The superstar footballer, visibly moved by the occasion, couldn’t hold back his tears during the warm-up, as the 80,000-strong crowd at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires cheered him on. While Messi hasn’t publicly confirmed his retirement plans, the emotional moment seemed to signal the end of an era for the legendary forward in Argentina.

However, once the match kicked off, Messi was back to his best, scoring twice to lead Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Venezuela.

In the first half, Messi opened the scoring with a stunning lob over the Venezuelan goalkeeper, set up by Julián Álvarez, who dribbled past two defenders before providing the assist. In the second half, Messi doubled his tally with a simple finish into an empty net, courtesy of a brilliant cross from Thiago Almada. Lautaro Martínez also found the back of the net, ensuring Argentina’s dominant win.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay secured their World Cup spot for 2026 with a 3-0 win over Peru. Colombia also triumphed 3-0 against Bolivia, while Paraguay sealed their qualification with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador.

Both Brazil and reigning champions Argentina had already qualified for the 2026 tournament.

As Messi’s career continues to captivate millions, this emotional night in Buenos Aires will undoubtedly remain one of his most cherished moments with the Argentine national team.

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