The Argentine national team achieved a comprehensive 3-0 victory over visiting Venezuela early Friday at the “Monumental” stadium in Buenos Aires, as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

What made the match exceptional was not only the win but the emotional atmosphere surrounding it, linked to the legend Lionel Messi.

Although Argentina had already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup and topped the qualifiers table, all eyes were on Messi in what many considered his “final dance” in front of his country’s fans in the qualifiers.

Before the match started, the Argentine Football Association showed an emotional video highlighting Messi’s career and his greatest moments with the “Tango”, including winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

During warm-ups, Messi was seen fighting back tears, amid a huge banner in the stands that read: “Thank you Messi for everything”.

The match also bore the marks of Inter Miami star Messi, who opened the scoring in the 40th minute after a pass from Julián Álvarez, before adding his second and third goals for his country in the 83rd minute, while Lautaro Martínez scored the second goal.

With this win, Messi raised his tally of matches in South American qualifiers to 72, equaling the record held by Ecuadorian Iván Hurtado as the player with the most appearances in the history of the qualifiers, with a chance to break the record in the upcoming match against Ecuador on September 10.

Coach Lionel Scaloni was also moved to tears, both before the match and after Messi’s first goal, stating emotionally: “I have never seen a player like him before. To play alongside him, then to be his coach in the World Cup and win together was unbelievable. We must enjoy having him as long as he is here.”

Although Messi has not officially announced his retirement or set a date for it, the emotional atmosphere at the “Monumental” made Argentina’s night against Venezuela feel like a farewell to a living legend.