Lionel Messi has dropped his strongest hint yet that he may retire from international football after the next FIFA World Cup 2026.
Argentina, already qualified for the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will face Venezuela on September 4 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, followed by an away match against Ecuador on September 9.
Messi, 38, said the Venezuela match will be especially meaningful. &ldquo;It is going to be a very, very special match for me because it's the last qualifying match,&rdquo; he told reporters after guiding Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup final. He confirmed that his family will attend, potentially marking his final appearance before home fans.
The Argentine captain has previously suggested that defending his title at the 2026 World Cup could signal the end of his international career. He will turn 40 when World Cup qualifiers resume in 2027.
Messi, winner of eight Ballon d'Or trophies, remains Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022. The South American football body CONMEBOL echoed Messi&rsquo;s sentiment on X, stating, &ldquo;the last dance is coming,&rdquo; alongside a photo of the star in his Argentina jersey.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]
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Lionel Messi may retire from international football after 2026 FIFA World Cup

Messi Hints at International Football Farewell

Lionel Messi may retire from international football after 2026 FIFA World Cup

August 29, 2025 | 17:06 IST