Lionel Messi has given the strongest possible indication that he will end his international football career after next year's FIFA World Cup.
Argentina, who have already secured their place in the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will host Venezuela on September 4 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires before closing qualifying with an away match against Ecuador on September 9.
"This (the match against Venezuela) will be a very, very special match for me because it's the last qualifying match," the 38-year-old striker told reporters after leading Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup final.
Messi said his family would be in attendance for the match against Venezuela and admitted it could be his last chance to play in front of his home fans.
"I don't know if there will be a friendly or another match (after Venezuela), but this is a very special match, so my wife, my children, my parents, and my brothers will be there with me," he added.
The Albiceleste captain had previously hinted that the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina will be the defending champions, would likely be the end of his international career. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will be 40 when the next World Cup qualifiers begin in 2027.
South American football's governing body, CONMEBOL, sent a similar message on Thursday (August 28), posting the words "the last dance is about to begin" and a photo of Messi in an Argentina shirt.
Messi, who has won eight Ballon d'Or trophies, is the all-time leading scorer and most-capped player in Argentina's national team history. His peak came in December 2022, when he led the team to its third World Cup victory in Qatar.
