Retirement Loading: Lionel Messi In Tears As He Plays His Final Game In Argentina
Lionel Messi is expected to call time on his international career after the FIFA World Cup 2026.
In his final game at home, an emotional Lionel Messi struggled to hold back tears as he lined up with his teammates for the last time on Argentinian soil on Tuesday. Messi's Argentina faced Zambia at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires in a friendly, with the former Barcelona star scoring one goal and setting up another. Argentina went on to thrash Zambia 5-0, before beginning the defence of their World Cup crown. Messi, restored to the starting line-up by coach Lionel Scaloni after Argentina's lacklustre win over Mauritania last Friday, made an instant impact in Tuesday's friendly at La Bombonera.
The 38-year-old superstar set up the opening goal for Julián Álvarez before bagging his 116th goal for Argentina with an individual strike just before half-time. Tuesday's game marked a World Cup send-off for the reigning champions, who will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J of the finals in June.
As Messi stood with his teammates on the pitch, the crowd's songs and chants moved him to tears. In a video that surfaced on social media, the Inter Miami forward could be seen wiping his eyes, realising it was the last time he would play in front of his home fans. Here's the video:
Deeply emotional scenes unfolding in Argentina
— Topskills Sports UK (@topskillsportuk) April 1, 2026
Lionel Messi is currently playing what is expected to be his LAST match with the national team on Argentine soil.
The final chapter at home for the greatest of all time before the 2026 World Cup. This one really hurts.… pic.twitter.com/yW8WaYYxyi
Argentina will also play a friendly against Serbia in June and are seeking to arrange another warm-up fixture before the tournament.
Messi is firmly expected to captain Argentina into what will be a record sixth World Cup finals as the South American giants target back-to-back titles.
The Inter Miami playmaker once again demonstrated his enduring influence on the Albiceleste with a typically decisive contribution in a comfortable win.
Álvarez fired Argentina into the lead after just four minutes when Messi effortlessly controlled a lofted pass on the edge of the area and threaded a ball into the feet of the Atlético Madrid striker to score.
Messi doubled Argentina's lead with the 902nd goal of his career two minutes before half-time, working a clever one-two with Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister before tucking a low finish past Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza.
Messi could have added to his tally just after half-time when Argentina were awarded a penalty following Albert Kangwanda's foul on Thiago Almada.
But rather than take the spot-kick himself, Messi handed the ball to veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi, and the 38-year-old made no mistake from the spot to make it 3-0.
An own goal from Dominic Chanda in the 68th minute put Argentina 4-0 up, before rising star Valentín Barco completed the scoring in stoppage time to seal a 5-0 victory.
With AFP Inputs
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