Argentina, already assured of a place at the 2026 finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada, will host Venezuela on September 4 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires before completing qualifying away to Ecuador on September 9.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"It (the Venezuela clash) is going to be a very, very special match for me because it's the last qualifying match,\" the 38-year-old forward told reporters after leading Inter Miami into the Leagues Cup final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Messi said his family will be present for the Venezuela game and acknowledged it could be his last opportunity to appear in front of home fans.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I don't know if there will be friendlies or more matches [after Venezuela], but it is a very special match, so my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings will be there with me,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Albiceleste captain has signaled before that Argentina's title defense in 2026 would mark the end of his international career. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will be 40 when the next World Cup qualifiers begin in 2027.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I don't know if there will be friendlies or more matches [after Venezuela], but it is a very special match, so my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings will be there with me,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Messi, the winner of eight Ballon d'Or trophies, is Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. His crowning moment came in December 2022 when he led the team to its third World Cup triumph in Qatar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n