Lionel Messi is already in Buenos Aires together with his teammates to play Argentina’s ultimate two matches within the World Cup qualifiers. Amid rising hypothesis about his future with the nationwide group and the potential for an imminent retirement, a former teammate has delivered a transparent message.
Final week, Messi mentioned that Thursday’s match in opposition to Venezuela in Buenos Aires is likely to be his ultimate official look on dwelling soil. “It’s going to be a really particular match for me as a result of it’s the final qualifier. I don’t know if there’ll be a pleasant afterward, however sure, it’s a really particular sport,” he mentioned in an interview with Apple TV.
Since then, a number of distinguished Argentine figures—together with Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Soccer Affiliation, and head coach Lionel Scaloni—have downplayed the concept of retirement and advised that Messi might rethink sooner or later.
Becoming a member of them now could be Franco Armani, the goalkeeper who performed alongside Messi on the Argentina nationwide group from 2018 to 2024. Collectively, they received the 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 World Cup, and 2024 Copa America.
Former Argentina goalkeeper Franco Armani.
When requested about Messi’s potential farewell, Armani didn’t maintain again. “Let’s hope not, that he actually thinks it by. Clearly, nobody is prepared for that,” mentioned the 38-year-old goalkeeper, quoted by TNT Sports activities. “After Thursday, let’s hope he provides it loads of thought.”
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What’s subsequent for Messi with Argentina
Argentina will shut out their South American qualifiers throughout this September worldwide break. On Thursday, they’ll face Venezuela in Buenos Aires in what could possibly be Messi’s farewell to the Argentine public. The ultimate match of the marketing campaign comes subsequent Tuesday in opposition to Ecuador on the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil.
As soon as these matches are over, Lionel Messi will return to Inter Miami to proceed the Main League Soccer season. Nevertheless, Argentina will nonetheless have two extra FIFA breaks in October and November, throughout which they are going to play pleasant matches.
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On October 10, the World Cup champions will tackle Venezuela at Laborious Rock Stadium in Miami, adopted by a matchup in opposition to Puerto Rico three days later at Soldier Subject in Chicago. In November, the group is about to go on tour, which can embody not less than one match in Asia.
The file Messi might break within the World Cup qualifiers
This worldwide break is very vital for Messi—not simply because it could be his ultimate official match in Argentina, but additionally as a result of he has an opportunity to set a historic file in World Cup qualifying.
If he performs in each matches—in opposition to Venezuela and Ecuador—Leo will surpass Ivan Hurtado because the participant with probably the most appearances in South American World Cup qualifiers, with a complete of 73 video games.
