Lionel Messi made a big return to the Argentine national team on Tuesday with a hat trick and two assists in a World Cup qualifier.
The 37-year-old icon also acknowledged that the games he is playing now in the twilight of his career “could be the last games.” In a post-match interview, he refused to commit to playing for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup.
Messi returned to the lineup for Tuesday’s match in Buenos Aires in front of approximately 85,000 rowdy fans against Bolivia after missing Argentina’s two previous World Cup qualifying matches with an ankle injury. He was in top form in the 6-0 victory to keep Argentina on top. the south american classification.
Messi started the scoring with a breakaway goal in the 19th minute, to the delight of the crowd at the Estadio Monumental de Núñez.
Messi then assisted on a Lautaro Martínez goal in the 43rd minute that doubled Argentina’s lead to 2-0. This goal was also on a breakaway.
Julián Álvarez scored Argentina’s third goal of the night just before halftime. This one also came courtesy of an assist from Messi.
Messi did not appear for Argentina’s fourth goal, a shot by Thiago Almada from outside the area. But he crowned the scoring explosion with two more goals to complete the hat trick.
In the 84th minute, Messi received a pass from Exequiel Palacios and broke through the Bolivian defenders to finish with his right foot just inside the penalty area.
Then, in the 86th minute, he completed the hat trick with another goal from inside the box, this time with his left foot.
The party of more than 90 minutes in the stands continued with cheers and gestures of adoration from an Argentine public surely aware that there will not be many more of these moments.
Messi expressed his own gratitude for the moment after the game.
“This moves me” Messi said after the match.via translation. “Enjoy being happy where I am. Despite my age, when I’m here I look like a child because I feel comfortable in this team. As long as I feel good and can continue performing as I intend, we will continue to enjoy.” “.
Argentina is set to defend its 2022 World Cup title when the tournament moves to North America to be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. When asked if he plans to be there for those games, Messi preferred to focus on the moment at hand.
“I didn’t set a date or a deadline,” he said. “I simply want to enjoy all this. I’m more excited than ever to be here and feel the love of the people, because I know it could be the last games.”
