Argentina will face Venezuela and Ecuador throughout this September worldwide break of their remaining two matches of the South American World Cup qualifiers, already safe of their place for the 2026 match in the US, Mexico, and Canada. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply these matches are with out which means—particularly for Lionel Messi.
The Argentine ahead acknowledged final week that Thursday’s match towards Venezuela in Buenos Aires will possible be his remaining official sport on dwelling soil. In doing so, Leo hinted that his time with the nationwide workforce is nearing its finish and that he’s unlikely to proceed after the 2026 World Cup.
On condition that, Venezuela and Ecuador will possible be his remaining appearances in World Cup qualifiers—and subsequently his final likelihood to succeed in a purpose that has eluded him all through his worldwide profession with Argentina.
Messi is aiming to complete as the highest scorer on this version of the South American qualifiers—one thing he has by no means achieved earlier than. In the intervening time, he sits in second place with 6 objectives in 11 matches, tied with Bolivia’s Miguel Terceros, and only one behind the chief: Colombia’s Luis Diaz, who has 7.
Luis Diaz is at the moment the highest scorer within the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
With two video games remaining, Messi might catch and surpass the Bayern Munich winger, however his participation in subsequent Tuesday’s match towards Ecuador stays unsure. Experiences counsel he might not journey with a view to return early to Miami and relaxation forward of Main League Soccer’s decisive stretch. Alternatively, Colombia haven’t but secured their World Cup spot, so it’s nearly sure Diaz will play in each matches and have the chance to increase his purpose tally.
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How has Messi carried out in previous qualifiers?
Sarcastically, Messi might high the scoring charts on this version of the South American World Cup qualifiers with fewer objectives than he scored in earlier years. His debut within the competitors got here forward of Germany 2006, when he performed three matches however failed to attain. Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazario led that marketing campaign with 10 objectives.
On the street to South Africa 2010, Lionel had already grow to be a key determine for Argentina: he performed all 18 matches and scoredfour objectives. Nonetheless, he completed properly behind Chile’s Humberto Suazo, who scored 10. Within the lead-up to Brazil 2014, the highest scorer within the qualifiers was Uruguay’s Luis Suarez with 11 objectives. Messi was shut,scoring 10 in 14 appearances.
Argentina struggled on their method to Russia 2018. Messi’s objectives had been essential to securing qualification—he scored seven instances in 10 matches—however he nonetheless trailed Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani, who had 10. And forward of Qatar 2022, Messi discovered the web seven instances in 15 matches, however was once more outpaced by Bolivia’s Marcelo Moreno Martins, who scored 10.
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Messi is the all-time main scorer in World Cup qualifiers
Though Messi has by no means completed as the highest scorer in a single version of the World Cup qualifiers, he holds the all-time scoring file within the competitors. His 34 objectives in 71 matches put him forward of different South American stars like Luis Suarez, Alexis Sanchez, and Marcelo Moreno Martins.
