After leading Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Venezuela on Thursday, Lionel Messi said that his farewell appearance in Buenos Aires was “something I had always dreamed of.”
Two goals from the 38-year-old captain and a goal from Lautaro Martínez paved the way for an easy win for the Albiceleste in Buenos Aires. Late in the game, Messi hit the post with a delicate chip from which he was ruled offside. The Inter Miami star, standing on the pitch when the fans who bowed their heads to him in the stands, was very emotional.
“So many different emotions. I’ve done a lot on this field, Messi said. “For me, it is stopping like this at home what I have always dreamt of. I have had the love of Barcelona for so many years with me and the dream was to feel that here in my country as well.”
By scoring two goals against Venezuela, he has now scored eight goals in World Cup qualifiers — the highest number among the South American players — Messi, who last week announced the matches against Venezuela and Ecuador would be his last qualifiers.
Makesy, however, did not shut off completely the possibility of his staying beyond that point: “With my age, it is logical that I will not be around but it will still be up to us to find out. I live from moment to moment.”
