Hope World Cup Qualifier against Venezuela isn’t Messi’s final appearance for Argentina at home, says coach Scaloni

An emotional Lionel Scaloni said Argentine superstar Lionel Messi deserved special recognition at the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Venezuela in Buenos Aires but hoped also hoped that it would not be his final appearance for his country on home soil.

The 38-year-old, who currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) and is best known for his 17-year run with FC Barcelona, has hinted at retirement after next year’s FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.

And with the defending world champions having no fixtures scheduled at home between the World Cup qualifiers and next year’s World Cup, Thursday’s fixture at Estadio Monumental in the Argentine capital could very well be the legendary forward’s last game in front of his home fans, at least in the iconic blue and white kit.

‘I’m sure that it won’t be his last game in Argentina’

“Yes, 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,” a visibly emotional Argentina coach Scaloni said at a press conference on the eve of the match against Venezuela.

“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 added.

Argentina, who had already qualified for the World Cup finals with a 4-1 thrashing of Brazil in March, will face Ecuador away from home in the final round of the CONMEBOL (South America) leg of the qualifiers.

By the time the qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup get underway in 2027, Messi will be 40 years old, making it highly unlikely for him to continue representing the national side even if he continues to play club football.

Messi had fulfilled his lifelong dream of lifting the World Cup in Qatar three years ago, emulating the late Diego Maradona in the process, after Argentina defeating then-defending champions France on penalties to win the showpiece event for a third time.