Messi nets two in tearful Buenos Ayres farewell as Argentina beat Venezuela

• by Caden Lockhart
• Oct, 15 2025

When Lionel Messi, the 38‑year‑old captain of the Argentina national football team, stepped onto the pitch at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on Thursday night, the whole country seemed to hold its breath.

It wasn’t just any qualifier – it was the Argentine star’s self‑described “final competitive match” on home soil. The game, a 3‑0 victory over the Venezuela national football team, marked the end of a two‑decade‑long saga that began with a debut against Hungary on 17 August 2005.

Farewell under the lights

The atmosphere inside the 70,064‑seat stadium was electric, the sell‑out crowd buzzing like a beehive. By 8:30 PM ART, the match kicked off under a sky that could have been ripped straight from a postcard of Buenos Aires. Within the first half‑hour, Messi found the back of the net not once but twice – a left‑footed curling strike from outside the box followed by a quick tap‑in after a brilliant Messi‑initiated run.

“I’ve lived a thousand emotions on this grass,” Messi whispered, voice cracking as tears glistened. “To finish here, in front of our people, is a dream I never stopped believing in.” He later added, “Today was the last one for points here.”

How the goals unfolded

At the 12‑minute mark, Messi received a pinpoint pass from midfield maestro Lautaro Martínez. He slipped past two Venezuelan defenders and unleashed a low‑driven effort that swerved just inside the far post. The roar that followed could’ve shaken the glass doors of the nearby River Plate museum.

Four minutes later, a swift counter‑attack saw Messi darting down the right wing, cutting inside, and slotting a precise finish past the stunned keeper. The third goal, a neat finish from Martínez in the 78th minute, sealed the clean sheet and gave fans one last anthem to chant before the final whistle.

Coach, teammates and the nation react

Head coach Lionel Scaloni could barely contain his pride: “You’ve given us more than trophies, you’ve given us belief. Tonight we celebrated a legend, but also a future that will keep his spirit alive.”

Veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi, who has shared the locker room with Messi since 2010, said, “I’m going to miss training with him, his leadership, his jokes. Tonight felt like a family gathering, not a match.”

Fans, many with tears streaming, waved Argentine flags and sang “Donde Están los Gallegos?” — a song Messi famously sang after the 2022 World Cup win.

Implications for the 2026 FIFA World CupUnited States, Canada, Mexico campaign

With the win, Argentina now sits atop the CONMEBOL qualification table on 28 points from 14 matches, comfortably in the direct‑qualification zone. The real question, however, is whether Messi will don the shirt in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.

When asked about the upcoming World Cup, Messi answered cautiously, “We finish the MLS season, then I’ll have a preseason. We'll see how I feel.” His lack of commitment sparked debates across South America, with pundits noting that even a cameo appearance could lift Argentina’s morale in the knockout stages.

What’s next for Argentina and Messi?

Messi confirmed he will sit out the next qualifier against Ecuador in Guayaquil on 10 September 2025, a match that will decide the final seeding for the World Cup draw. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has hinted at a formal farewell ceremony after a friendly with Venezuela scheduled for 10 October 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Ironically, Messi said he won’t travel to Miami either, choosing instead to “close this chapter here in Argentina.” The Miami friendly will instead feature a tribute to former manager Miguel Ángel Russo, with midfielder Giovani Lo Celso likely to start in Messi’s absence.

Beyond the farewell, the Argentine squad will focus on integrating younger talents like Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández, ensuring the team’s DNA remains intact as they head toward the World Cup finals.

Historical context – why this night matters

Messi’s Argentine debut came just a year after his legendary club debut for FC Barcelona on 16 October 2004. Over 20 years, he amassed 106 goals and 180 caps, leading La Albiceleste to three World Cup finals (2006, 2014, 2022) and finally clinching the trophy in Qatar after a dramatic penalty shoot‑out against France.

His move to Inter Miami CF on 15 July 2023 added another chapter to his story, where he now wears the iconic number 10 in MLS. Yet, no stadium in the world quite matches the emotional weight of the Monumental on a September night.

What fans can expect

• Formal tribute event in Buenos Aires later this month – tickets expected to sell out within hours.
• Potential surprise appearance by Messi in the 2026 World Cup if his fitness permits.
• Continued dominance of Argentina in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, with a likely top‑seed finish.
• Increased focus on developing the next generation of Argentine forwards to fill the void left by Messi’s eventual retirement.