His memorable night nearly ended in a hat trick.
Messi, playing in his final World Cup qualifying match in his native Argentina, scored two goals (39’ and 80’) to fuel the defending World Cup champions to a 3-0 win over Venezuela as Mas Monumental Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 4.
Lautaro Martinez added another goal (76’), sparked by Messi, in the victory for Argentina, which has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
Messi has yet to declare whether he will play in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. He will make that announcement another day, he acknowledged after the match.
‘I don’t want it to end never, but I’m aware that the moment is approaching. It will happen when it has to happen, meanwhile I’m going step by step, living day by day,’ said Messi, 38. ‘It was a very nice, and special day for me.’
On this day, Messi treated the match like his final opportunity to play in front of his most avid fans in his home country – with no other friendlies or matches of consequence scheduled in Argentina before or after the World Cup.
Messi’s teammates made sure to find their Argentine captain, and arguably one of the greatest soccer players of all time during the match.
Julián Alvarez could have scored before halftime, but saw Messi out of the corner of his eye trailing toward the net. Alvarez dropped the ball off to Messi, who took one touch before chipping his goal into the back of the net over several diving Venezuela defenders hoping to stop the inevitable.
Martinez scored his header in front of the net to double Argentina’s lead, but it was Messi, who started the possession with a free kick to Nicolás González up the pitch.
Messi punctuated the night with a simple left touch after a pass from Thiago Almada, looking for the Argentine captain to finish the play.
Messi nearly secured a hat trick in the 89th minute, but was caught offsides, slightly running ahead of the play he finished with another shot into the back of the net before the referee raised his flag.
The match marked the first time Messi scored for the national team in nearly a year. The last time, Messi had a hat trick and two assists in a 6-0 victory over Bolivia on Oct. 15, 2024.
Messi played in his 72nd World Cup qualifier, no other player has played more in South American qualifying.
While Messi treated the occasion like his last match in his home country, Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni said the national team will surely plan to have another match if Messi wishes.
‘[Thursday] will be a beautiful, exciting game. Surely, it won’t be his last game in Argentina, and I saw that from the point of view that, if he decides it will be his last, we’ll make sure he gets to play another one,’ Scaloni said before the match. ‘We’ll find the right moment, because he deserves it.’
Argentina 3, Venezuela 0: Messi nearly has hat trick, but offsides
Messi nearly had a hat trick, but was caught offsides in the 89th minute after loafing another kick into the back of the net.
Argentina 3, Venezuela 0: Lionel Messi scores second goal in 80’
Lionel Messi has a brace, scoring his second goal in the 80th minute, after an assist from Thiago Almada.
Messi scored with a simple left touch after a pass from Almada, who knew the Argentine captain was entering the penalty area on a charge up the field.
In what could be Messi’s last match in Argentina, he has two goals.
Argentina 2, Venezuela 0: Lautaro Martinez scores goal in 76’
Argentina has doubled its lead, and Messi had a hand (or a foot?) in the play.
Lautaro Martinez scored a header goal in front of the net in the 76th minute, finishing a pass from Nicolás González, who was sent up the pitch on a free kick by Messi to start the play.
Martinez, the Inter Milan standout who scored Argentina’s game-winner in the 2024 Copa America final against Colombia, scored just two minutes after being substituted into the match off the bench.
Argentina 1, Venezuela 0: Lionel Messi scores goal in 39th minute
JuliánAlvarez could have taken the shot, but he saw his captain out of the corner of his eye. Lionel Messi softly kicked a goal with his legendary left boot in the 39th minute to give Argentina an early lead against Venezuela. A fitting assist by Alvarez, and a classic finish by Messi to send the Argentine fans into a frenzy.
Messi update from Argentina vs. Venezuela match
Messi has been active in his first 30 minutes of the match, but has yet to affect the scoreboard.
Messi fired a shot in the 26th minute, but it was blocked by the goalkeeper Rafael Romo. He was also awarded a free kick in the 29th minute after being tripped by Eduard Bello outside the penalty box, but his kick was blocked by the wall of Venezuelan defenders.
Still, Messi looks healthy and engaged after a hamstring injury hampered him for much of the last month.
Messi’s sons join him for national anthem before Argentina vs. Venezuela
An emotion Messi on verge of tears during pregame warmups
Lionel Messi, understandibly full of emotion, as he warms up before Argentina’s match against Venezuela tonight.
Messi in Argentina starting lineup vs. Venezuela
How to watch Messi’s last match in Argentina on Sept. 4?
The match will be broadcast on Universo and can be streamed on Fubo.
Watch Argentina vs. Venezuela on Fanatiz PPV
What time is the Argentina vs. Venezuela match?
The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina) at Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Is Messi playing tonight?
For the reasons listed above, it appears very likely Messi will play with Argentina against Venezuela.
When is the next time Messi will play with Argentina after Venezuela match?
Argentina will visit Ecuador on Sept. 9 to conclude Conmebol World Cup qualifying, but it’s possible Messi will return to South Florida as Inter Miami prepares for the last stretch of the 2025 MLS season.
Will Messi play with Argentina in October or November?
Messi could potentially participate in four more Argentina friendly matches later this year.
Argentina is planning to play two friendly matches in the United States between October 6-14 with locations and opponents to be determined. These friendlies would coincide with Inter Miami’s MLS season, potentially creating a scheduling conflict for Messi.
Argentina will also play two friendly matches between Nov. 10-18 in in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India with opponents to be determined. These friendlies would fall under a FIFA international window.
Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami and Argentina
Sept. 4: Argentina vs. Venezuela (World Cup qualifying)
Sept. 9: Ecuador vs. Argentina (World Cup qualifying)
Sept. 13: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Sept. 16: Inter Miami vs. Seattle Sounders, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Sept. 20: Inter Miami vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Sept. 24: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Sept. 27: Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Sept. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)