BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi made sure he had good memories of playing a home qualifier with Argentina’s national team for the last time in his illustrious career.
Messi scored twice Thursday in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela in front of a raucous sellout crowd that had gathered at estadio Monumental to bid him farewell.
“Being able to finish this way here is what I’ve always dreamed of,” Messi said. “I’ve experienced a lot of things on this pitch, both good and not so good, but it’s always a joy to play in Argentina, in front of our fans.”
Messi is yet to give any clues about when he will retire from the top level of the sport. But the qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup will begin in 2027, when he’s 40.
The Argentina captain scored in the 39th and 80th minutes, and Lautaro Martinez added a goal in the 76th.
Messi now has 36 goals in South American World Cup qualifiers and remains as the all-time scoring leader. His Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez has 29 goals in continental qualifying, but he has retired from Uruguay’s national team. Bolivia’s Marcelo Moreno Martins is third with 22.
Looking ahead, Messi clarified that he will only compete in next year’s World Cup if he feels physically fit.
“I’m excited, eager. It’s day by day, feeling the sensations. If I feel good, I enjoy it; if not, I’d rather not be there,” he said, adding that the nine months until the tournament kicks off “is a long time.”
Already qualified, the World Cup champions extended their tally to 38 points and will remain atop the South American qualifying standings regardless of what happens in the last round next Tuesday.
Venezuela, trying to qualify for its first World Cup, remains on 18 points and in seventh place. They’re still in contention to advance to an intercontinental playoff.
Lionel Messi scores twice in an emotional home farewell for Argentina
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Lionel Messi scores twice in an emotional home farewell for Argentina
- Lionel Messi made sure he had good memories of playing a home qualifier with Argentina’s national team for the last time in his illustrious career
- Messi scored twice in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela in front of a raucous sellout crowd that had gathered at estadio Monumental to bid him farewell
Hegerberg double sees Lyon past Wolfsburg in Champions League
- Lyon made it three wins from three with a 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg, star Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg netting twice in the first half before Wendie Renard claimed a third from the penalty spot
PARIS: Lyon and Chelsea maintained their form in a bid for direct qualification for the quarter-finals of the women’s Champions League with dominant victories on Tuesday.
Lyon made it three wins from three with a 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg, star Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg netting twice in the first half before Wendie Renard claimed a third from the penalty spot.
Dutch forward Lineth Beerensteyn claimed a consolation goal for Wolfsburg.
It seemed to have been set up as a good night all round for French clubs.
But there was heartbreak eight minutes into injury time as Real Madrid, through Caroline Weir, claimed a 1-1 draw with Paris FC, who had opened the scoring with a 41st-minute Lorena Azzaro penalty.
Like Lyon, Chelsea remained unbeaten, albeit with one draw in their opening three matches, following a 6-0 thrashing of pointless St. Polten of Austria.
Wieke Kaptein opened the scoring in the 13th minute before a quick-fire Catarina Macario double, including a 53rd penalty.
Sam Kerr, on her first start for Blues since December 2023, then claimed her own brace of goals either side of an own goal by St. Polten defender Lisa Ebert to make it six in a one-sided contest away from home.
In the early game, Valerenga, through Stine Brekken, snatched a 1-0 win over Roma, also without a point after three losses from their opening three games.
