For Argentina supporters, Thursday’s qualifier [September 4] against Venezuela will feel less like a contest and more like a farewell.
Lionel Messi has not announced retirement but he admitted last week that this could be his last competitive game in his home country.
38-year-old Inter Miami forward has reached a stage where every appearance carries echoes of history and reminders of what comes next.
Messi first appeared for Argentina at home against Peru in September 2005 when he was 18, just weeks after debuting against Hungary.
His first home goal arrived in October 2008 against Uruguay. Since then, he has played 45 matches across the country, scoring 35 goals and providing 20 assists.
The Monumental has hosted him 24 times. His overall tally in the country includes 23 goals in qualifiers and 12 in friendlies, involvement in 55 goals in total.
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Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni underlined the weight of the night in his pre-match press conference.
What Scaloni said about Lionel Messi?
According to ESPN, Scaloni described the occasion with visible emotion.
“Yes, this is a match which Leo has said will be emotional, special, nice because it's true that it's our last qualifying match,” Scaloni said.
“We have to enjoy it as we've always been saying. More than anyone I will enjoy it. Having been able to coach him has honestly been a pleasure and let's hope that fans who go to the stadium will also enjoy it because he truly deserves it.”
“Tomorrow will be a nice match. Exciting. I'm sure that it won't be his last game in Argentina and I say that we'll make sure that if he decides it's the last game, we play another because it's obvious to do that in the right moment and because he deserves it.”
Argentina arrive on the back of a 1-1 draw with Colombia, a result that ended a four-match winning streak. Scaloni’s side have kept five home clean sheets in qualifying and remain heavy favorites against Venezuela, who are seventh and chasing a historic first World Cup appearance.
La Vinotinto are led by Argentine coach Fernando Batista and sit one point clear of Bolivia and will face a decisive final fixture against Colombia after Argentina's clash.
Thursday night in Buenos Aires will belong to Lionel Messi, who could play his final home game and his 25th appearance at the Monumental.