Argentina bids a tearful farewell to Messi in what could be his last game for the national team
Football has become accustomed to Messi stirring things up with every move he makes, but on Thursday, 4 September, time itself seemed to stand still to pay him one last tribute.
La Pulga played his last match at the Monumental Stadium with the national team in Argentina in the context of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where he would turn 39 halfway through the tournament.
The news broke after national team coach Lionel Scaloni's words at the press conference prior to the match against Venezuela, where—in tears, like the journalist who asked him—he did not confirm Messi's presence at the next World Cup.
‘I didn't talk about this World Cup situation, I only know what he has said and I know that he is going to take it easy for as long as he needs to. Let's leave him alone and whatever he decides will be fine, not much more than that,’ said Scaloni.
Messi's record with the national team is impeccable, both collectively and individually. Collectively, La Pulga has won the 2005 Under-20 World Cup, an Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008, two Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, a Finalissima in 2022, and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Individually, Messi is the all-time leading scorer with 114 goals, the leading assist provider with 61 assists, and the player with the most appearances with 194 matches.
How did the national team fare without Messi?
Since Messi's debut with the national team, the current Inter Miami player has missed 21 official matches, of which they have won 11, drawn 5 and lost 5. All of the defeats have been in South American qualifiers for the Copa América or the World Cup: 3-2 against Uruguay (away in 2013), 2-0 against Ecuador (at home in 2015), 1-0 against Paraguay (in Córdoba in 2016), 2-0 against Bolivia (in La Paz in 2017) and 2-1 against Colombia (in 2024 in Barranquilla).
Who will inherit the number 10 shirt?
After it was announced that Leo Messi could miss the next World Cup, journalists and football fans began to wonder who would inherit the number 10 shirt that the Argentine star has worn for more than 19 years.
Initially, there were rumours that it would be Atlético Madrid star Julián Álvarez, but the latest news suggests that it will be another Atlético player who will wear Messi's shirt during the matches in which he is absent: Thiago Almada.
