LIONEL MESSI wiped away tears as fans chanted his name before dropping a hint about retirement.
The superstar scored twice to help Argentina to a 3-0 win over Venezuela.
The superstar dropped a big hint about his future[/caption]
Fans chanted Messi’s name as he warmed up before the match, causing him to become emotional.
The Inter Miami star wiped away tears and after the match he was asked about his future.
Messi, 38, is expected to retire from international duty soon and dropped a hint the Venezuela match may have been his last for his country on home soil.
He said: “Many long years have passed and we have enjoyed match after match. I am so happy… Being able to finish this way here is what I’ve always dreamed of.”
Messi revealed he will continue playing at club level for Miami and will decide his future at the end of the MLS season, in October.
He added: “Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have pre-season, and there will be six months left. So we’ll see how I feel.
“Hopefully I’ll have a good pre-season in 2026 and finish this MLS season well and then I’ll decide.”
Messi has helped Argentina to the top of the table in Conmebol qualifying for the World Cup.
Before the match Messi’s manager Lionel Scaloni also discussed his future.
He said: “This is a match which Leo has said will be emotional, special, nice because it’s true that it’s our last qualifying match. We have to enjoy it, as we’ve always been saying.
“More than anyone, I will enjoy it. Having been able to coach him has honestly been a pleasure and let’s hope that fans who go to the stadium will also enjoy it because he truly deserves it.
“Tomorrow will be a nice match, exciting. I’m sure that it won’t be his last game in Argentina and I say that we’ll make sure that if he decides it’s the last game, we play another because it’s obvious to do that in the right moment and because he deserves it.
“He earned the right to decide when to stop. From our side, he will always have support.”
Some fans feel Messi could retire soon and have paid tribute to the legend.
One supporter said: “From retiring for his country to this, what a redemption for him as an Argentine player.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege Leo, only few months till the ultimate swan song now.”
Another added: “I have been bracing myself for this moment for so long and it still hurts, idk what happens when he hangs up the boots.”
And a third wrote: “I’m really happy he got his happy ending with the national team.”
Messi has retired from international football once before – in 2016 after he missed a penalty in a Copa America shoot-out defeat to Chile.
He said at the time: “For me, the national team is over.
“I’ve done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion.
“It’s been four finals, I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over.
“I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, then for everyone.
“I think there’s a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it.
“It’s very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back.”
