Lionel Messi says World Cup qualifier match against Venezuela is going to be very special

Lionel Messi said the World Cup qualifier match against Venezuela is going to be very special for him as it could be the last time he plays in Argentina. Messi has not yet decided when he is going to retire from International football.

Earlier, Messi had said that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be his last major event with the La Albiceleste however he wanted to continue playing as a part of the champion team. Now, Messi is looking to retire after the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

“It’s going to be a very, very special match for me because it’s the last qualifying match,” Messi, 38, said Wednesday night after Inter Miami progressed to the Leagues Cup final by beating Orlando City.

Argentina will host Venezuela next Thursday at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

“I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more matches after [Venezuela], but it is a very special match, so my family will be there with me: my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings,” Messi said. “We’re going to live it like that. I don’t know what will happen next.”

On Wednesday, Messi scored a brace to lead Inter Miami to the final of the Leagues Cup against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday after returning from an injury.

“I wanted to be here,” Messi said. “When I came back against [LA] Galaxy [on August 17] I felt some discomfort, I didn’t feel comfortable, but I wanted to play the game.

“It was really important to be here because it’s a difficult opponent, they’d beaten us in the two games we played against them this year. In the first half I was playing with a bit of fear, but after that I felt a bit [more] free.”

The Leagues Cup final will be played on Sunday.