Skipper Lionel Messi bid farewell to his home crowd and World Cup qualifying on Thursday at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires with a brace.
In his final South American qualifier, Argentina’s beloved No. 10 led to a 3-0 victory over Venezuela in a night of tears, ovations and unforgettable glory.
Elsewhere, Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay confirmed their places alongside the reigning World Cup champions at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Venezuela, meanwhile, will have one last chance to reach the play-offs in the final round of qualifiers.
Messi, who has won the Ballon d'Or eight times, sparkled in front of an adoring crowd of 80,000 at the Mas Monumental stadium in his last home qualifier for his country.
The Argentine legend will turn 39 during next year's World Cup, but despite his advanced years he looks set to play another pivotal role as Lionel Scaloni's side defend their crown.
Messi had his three sons with him before kick-off and his father, Jorge Messi, was also in attendance to mark the occasion.
In what will surely be his last home competitive fixture, the captain’s teammates were determined that their skipper get on the scoresheet. Messi slotted home two easy finishes teed up on a plate in the 39th and 80th minutes, while Lautaro Martínez scored in the 75th.
‘What I dreamed of’
“A lot of things are going through my head. Today was my last match playing for points. I’ve lived so many moments in this stadium, good and not so good, but right now I’m enjoying so much happiness with Argentina, savouring every game,” Messi said after the match.
“To be able to finish like this, here, is what I always dreamed of – to celebrate with my people. I already had the love in Barcelona and to feel it here in my own country is wonderful,” he added, enjoying fireworks, a light show and a standing ovation.
The World Cup-winning star confirmed that the match against Venezuela was his final World Cup qualifier, home or away – meaning he will not play in Tuesday’s game in Guayaquil against Ecuador in the 18th and last round.
“Scaloni decided I should rest, as I’m coming back from an injury, and we preferred to avoid that trip,” said Messi, whose name can be seen on the back of the shirt of almost every child in Argentina.
Messi has not yet confirmed whether he will take part in the 2026 World Cup, repeating instead that he is “taking it game by game.”
“There are nine months left – they go by quickly, but it’s still a long time. We’ll finish the season with Inter Miami, then I’ll have six months to see how I feel.”
‘Thank you for everything, my captain’
In the hours leading up to kick-off, thousands of fans made the pilgrimage to River Plate’s iconic Monumental stadium, eager to see Messi in Argentina for what could be the last time.
“The moment I walked in I got goosebumps – it’s the first time I’ve come,” said 17-year-old Beliz Keila at the gates of the stadium.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen my idol. I was born and grew up with him, I saw him make his debut in 2006 and now I get to say goodbye,” said Benjamín Guillou, who had travelled all the way from Tucumán in the north.
“It’s a mix of emotions – the joy of seeing him, and at the same time the heartbreak of knowing he’s saying farewell,” said the 28-year-old graphic designer.
Messi had trailed his trip to Buenos Aires, calling it a special occasion, when he declared: “It will be a very special match for me, because it will be my last qualifier.”
He came out early for the warm-up, greeted immediately by a standing ovation, and could not hold back tears of emotion before kick-off.
Flags of gratitude filled the stands. A group of drummers spelled out his name “Thank you for everything, my captain,” read one of the largest banners dedicated to the Albiceleste No. 10.
With two decades in the national team, Messi is Argentina’s all-time most capped player (193 appearances) and top scorer (113 goals), as well as the record-holder for appearances in South American qualifiers (71) and their leading marksman (35 goals).
His first World Cup qualifier was on October 9, 2005, a 2-0 win against Peru at the Monumental, though his first goal in the qualifiers came three years later, against Uruguay on the road to South Africa 2010.
His last came on Thursday, with a brace against Venezuela.
Last dance
Messi’s farewell to the qualifiers was a performance worthy of his stature – two goals, heavy involvement in a third and a team effort that amplified his brilliance.
Venezuela lined up with five at the back, but Fernando Batista’s defensive plan was not enough to resist the world champions. Argentina held 76 percent of possession, 17 attempts on goal and forced plenty of saves from Venezuelan’s busy goalie Rafael Romo
Messi orchestrated from the start, creating the first clear chance after three minutes when Julián Álvarez forced Romo into a save. Soon after, the captain tested the Venezuelan keeper with a curling left-footer. Moments before half-time, Álvarez broke down the right and – rather ridiculously – set up Messi, who finished with a delicate touch past the advancing goalkeeper.
Venezuela tried to respond with Soteldo and Martínez, but the home side’s dominance never wavered. Around the half-hour mark, Messi initiated a move that ended with Nico González crossing for Lautaro Martínez’s header to make it 2-0.
Five minutes later, Rodrigo De Paul spread play to the right, Thiago Almada cut inside and instead of shooting, he passed for the arriving Messi to slot home.
Chants of “Dale campeón” rang around the Monumental in a party atmosphere for Argentina, marking an unforgettable night.
Regional qualifiers: Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay
Uruguay sealed their berth in the United States, Canada and Mexico by beating Peru 3-0 at home while Colombia saw off Bolivia by the same scoreline.
In front of 60,000 at a packed-out Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Rodrigo Aguirre put Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay on their way on 14 minutes.
Paraguay also reached the 2026 finals after a 0-0 home draw against already qualified Ecuador.
Brazil have also already qualified from South America.
In front of 60,000 at a packed-out Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Rodrigo Aguirre put Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay on their way on 14 minutes.
The Club América forward leapt highest to place a thumping header into the top corner past Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
The Uruguayans, winners of the World Cup in 1930 and 1950, had needed just a point to qualify and send their charismatic veteran coach Bielsa to the tournament once again. The 70-year-old has now taken a third team to World Cup qualification.
Bielsa's appointment as Uruguay coach in 2023 was greeted with excitement, even euphoria, but an underwhelming qualification campaign has dampened that enthusiasm.
Qualification was always likely in a system that sees six of the 10 CONMEBOL sides qualify automatically for 2026, with one more heading into an inter-continental play-off. Venezuela are currently in seventh place with one more qualifier to go.
Giorgian de Arrascaeta doubled Uruguay's lead just before the hour, lashing home from close range to ensure a party atmosphere in the Uruguayan capital. Federico Viñas scored a third 10 minutes from time.
Colombia also sealed their place in next summer's extravaganza thanks to a comfortable victory over Bolivia.
The 34-year-old former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich attacker James Rodríguez, the breakout star of the 2014 World Cup, pounced just after the half-hour mark.
Jhon Córdoba made sure there were no late scares with his goal in the 74th minute, before Juan Fernando Quintero made it three.
Like Uruguay, Paraguay needed only a draw to qualify when they hosted Ecuador. They got the job done as they ground out a goalless stalemate and will be at their ninth World Cup – but first since 2010.
Line-ups:
Argentina: Emiliano Martínez – Nahuel Molina Lucero (Giuliano Simeone 81), Nicolás Tagliafico, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi – Lionel Messi (captain), Thiago Almada (Nicolás Paz 81), Franco Mastantuono (Nicolás González 63), Leandro Paredes (Exequiel Palacios 74), Rodrigo De Paul – Julián Álvarez (Lautaro Martínez 74).
Coach: Lionel Scaloni.
Venezuela: Rafael Romo – Nahuel Ferraresi, Wilker Ángel, Jon Aramburu, Miguel Zárate (Yeferson Soteldo 56) – Jefferson Savarino (Leonardo Flores 67), Tomás Rincón (captain) (Jorge Luis Yriarte González 46), Christian Makoun, Cristian Cásseres Jr, Eduard Bello (John Murillo 81) – José Salomón Rondón (José Andrés Martínez 56).
Coach: Fernando Batista.
– TIMES/AFP
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