Messi set for home swansong - his record on Argentina soil

Many football fans would like Messi to play forever, especially Argentinians, but the reality is that the Argentine star's last World Cup qualifying match at home is just around the corner, when the 'Albiceleste' host Venezuela in round 17 of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The Inter Miami player, who scored his first home goal in a World Cup qualifier in a 2-1 victory over Uruguay in October 2008, said it would be a very special match for both him and his family. 

"It's going to be special, a very special match for me because it's the last one in the qualifiers. I don't know if there will be any friendlies or more matches after that, but it is a very special match and that's why my family will be there with me, my wife, my children, my parents and my brothers, everyone who can make it," he said. 

The former Barcelona striker has proven to be a talisman for the 'Albiceleste' in World Cup qualifiers played at home, recording 25 wins, 10 draws and 2 defeats in 37 matches. In addition, the Argentine star has contributed directly to his team by scoring 23 goals and providing 12 assists, averaging 0.62 and 0.32 respectively per game.

Only five-time world champions Brazil and Uruguay have managed to see Messi hit the canvas at home in a World Cup qualifier in Argentina. The 'Selecao' claimed a 3-1 victory in September 2009 in Buenos Aires, and it took 14 years for Messi to suffer another home defeat in that competition, this time against Uruguay by 2-0 in November 2023.

Bolivia has been one of Messi's favourite victims at home, with him producing his best performance in a 6-0 victory in October 2024 (hat-trick and two assists) and scoring another hat-trick against the Bolivians in a 3-0 victory in September 2021. In addition, the former PSG player provided his first assist in a World Cup qualifier at home precisely in a 3-0 victory over Bolivia in November 2007. 

Moreover, the Argentine recorded three G/A in a 3–0 victory over Colombia in November 2016 (one goal and two assists) and in a 3–0 victory over Venezuela in March 2013 (one goal and two assists), the latter being Messi's final opponent in the World Cup qualifiers at home.

It will also be an important match for Venezuela, who could delay qualification for Uruguay and Paraguay (both on 24 points). They must both lose and Venezuela pull off a shock victory.