Lionel Messi has raised fresh doubts about his future with Argentina after sharing an emotional message following what could have been his final home game for the world champions.
The 38-year-old scored twice in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Venezuela on Thursday but avoided giving a clear answer on whether he will play at the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
After the game, Messi announced he would skip Argentina’s last qualifier against Ecuador next week to focus on staying fit for his club, Inter Miami.
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In a heartfelt message to fans on Instagram, Messi wrote: “A very special night that still leaves me speechless of the emotion. Heartfelt thanks to all the people for the love and for always supporting us. Whatever happens and whatever the future holds, only God knows… LET’S GO ARGENTINA!”
The World Cup-winning captain lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022 but has repeatedly hinted that the 2026 edition might be beyond him.
Messi is expected to return to action for Inter Miami on September 14 in their MLS clash against Charlotte.
Has Messi retired previously?
In June 2016 Messi retired from international football after Argentina’s Copa America final defeat by Chile.
“For me, the national team is over,” he said after the defeat. “I’ve done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion.”
However, just two months after his announcement Messi was named in Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers.
“My love for my country and this shirt is too great,” he said in 2016.
With Argentina, Messi won the 2022 World Cup and Copa America twice, in 2021 and 2024 and the 2022 Finalissima – a contest between the winners of the European Championship and Copa America.
An Argentine international, Messi is the national team’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player. Several years after his senior debut in 2005, he won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Assuming captaincy in 2011, he led Argentina to three consecutive finals in the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Copa América and the Copa América Centenario, all of which they would lose.
After initially announcing his international retirement in 2016, he returned to help his country narrowly qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Messi was central to ending Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought by winning the 2021 Copa América, which helped him secure his seventh Ballon d’Or that year.
In the following year, he led Argentina to winning the 2022 World Cup, the country’s first in 36 years. This followed with a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023. Messi was victorious at the 2024 Copa América, his third major international title.
