Lionel Messi started his farewell from the Argentine men’s national football team in style. The Pulga scored two and set up one as the Albiceleste won 3-0 against Venezuela on Thursday.

It was bound to be a match filled with sentimental pull. Set to be Lionel Messi’s last official game on home soil, emotions were present even before the ball started to roll. As early as four hours before kickoff, fans began pouring into the stadium, showing giant flags, tattoos, and other homages to Messi. A packed stadium chanted his name during warmup, moving the usually impassive Messi to tears. 

There was another touching moment as Messi walked onto the pitch with his three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. As the Argentine anthem began to sound, the Qatar 2022 winner was once again overcome with emotion, and had to stop following the lyrics to hold back tears.

Argentina came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, pressing high up the pitch and creating a couple of big scoring chances. However, head coach Lionel Scaloni’s team became a bit more predictable as the minutes progressed, even allowing a few chances for the opposition. 

It all changed in the 38th minute, when Venezuela striker Jefferson Savarino slipped on the pitch, gifting the ball to Argentina’s Leandro Paredes. He put a terrific long pass into the path of Álvarez, who stepped into the box with the ball controlled, ditched a defender and had the presence of mind to pass to an incoming, unmarked Messi. The Inter Miami star chipped it over the defenders to score the 1-0, and send the stadium into delirium.

It was more of the same in the second half, with Argentina comfortable in possession of the ball and moving it around the Venezuelan box.

After being denied a big chance in the 60th minute, Messi’s next contribution for Argentina was as an enabler. In the 75th, he put a long pass into space on the left, for Argentina forward Nicolás González to run into. He crossed it for striker Lautaro Martínez who dive-headed the 2-0.

Just four minutes later, Messi got his second of the night. In a very similar play, it was midfielder Rodrigo de Paul who played the ball into space, this time on the right. Forward Thiago Almada controlled it inside the box and put a low cross for Messi to tap in, making it 3-0.

Fuel for dreams of 2026

“A lot of things went through my head [when I stepped onto the pitch],” said Messi after the game. “I knew it was going to be the last official game here. I’ve been many things on this pitch, some good, some not so good, but it’s always a joy to play in Argentina, in front of our fans.”

The Inter Miami star added he was thrilled to have a sendoff like he’d “always dreamed of,” after years of enduring harsh criticism and misinformed takes. 

“I had the love of the fans at Barcelona, but I always wanted to have it here too,” he said. “For many years, people spoke too much, but I’ll keep the good memories, all the good things we achieved with the teams that couldn’t quite get over the line, and all that came after that.”

While El Pulga insisted he’s not sure he’ll play the upcoming World Cup, he admitted he’s pumped and eager, and taking things day by day.

“I’m honest with myself, when I’m feeling alright I enjoy it, but when I’m not I suffer a lot so I’d rather not play like that,” Messi added, fueling Argentine fans hopes for 2026. “Nine months go by very quickly but it’s also a long time.”

Thursday’s were Messi’s 113th and 114th goals with the Albiceleste shirt, extending his lead as the three-time World Cup winners’ all-time leading goalscorer. He also overtook Colombia’s Luis Díaz as the leading goalscorer in this South American Qualifiers, a distinction he’s never taken in his career.

Argentina will next play against Ecuador away at Guayaquil, on Tuesday, September 9. Kick off is scheduled for 8 p.m. Argentina time.