Lionel Messi, the football genius, celebrated with a brace against Venezuela in what has been announced as his last match with the national team at home: the tearful eyes of "The Flea" before the start of the World Cup qualifying match immediately went around the world.
With children on the pitch, the anthem and the crowd in the stands chanting "my captain", the farewell at home was a day that Argentina football — and not only — would not have wanted to experience. Messi may still play the match in Ecuador, but the performance, another extraordinary one, at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires put a point, at least in front of his own fans.
And on the horizon with "Albiceleste" there is not even a World Cup, the one that will take place next year between the USA, Mexico and Canada.
"I don't believe I'll play another World Cup. The most logical thing is that it won't happen, but I'm here. I stay hopeful, knowing that it's an effort that is realized day after day, match after match. If I don't feel good, I prefer not to be," — were the words of Messi, excited as he sang the anthem while hugging his children.
Of course, the performance against Venezuela, defeated 3-0 (a brace for Messi and a goal from Lautaro Martinez in excellent form), could be considered a very good farewell ticket to the homeland. “To end like this is what I have always dreamed of,” said Messi, who with eight Ballon d'Ors and especially with the cup lifted in Qatar, broke that taboo that he loved as a loser in the national team jersey — he could not have asked for more.
Lionel Scaloni's Argentina, already qualified for the World Cup, leads the group with an 11-point lead over second place.
"For many years I have received a lot of love in Barcelona, and my dream was to receive it here too, in my country, with my people. For many years many things have been said, but everything good and beautiful that we have done remains. I am left with the group that tried and failed in its attempt to win, but everything we have experienced has been wonderful."
The love between Argentina and its "Flea" will never end — not even after the last "dance."
