Lionel Messi will be having a night pretty soon that already has the potential to be historic. On Thursday, against Venezuela in Estadio Monumental de Núñez, Argentina could be saying goodbye to its greatest idol in World Cup qualifiers on home soil. At 38, a World Cup winner, eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient and owner of all records while wearing the albiceleste jersey, Messi will be appearing on the field one final time in front of 80,000 fans who purchased all of the tickets within a matter of hours. How this is his last, only time will say. Something is for sure, though: the symbolism of the match cannot be overlooked.
Messi in the lineup
The fact that Messi is in the lineup makes the evening in Buenos Aires even more sentimental. This will not be a ceremonial goodbye with some late-game minutes to wave to the fans. He'll be out there from the opening whistle, playing the way he always does, spearheading a frontline with Julián Álvarez and Nico González. Coach Lionel Scaloni didn't feel like resting him or shielding him. Rather, he decided to offer supporters the opportunity to witness Messi at top speed, performing the very thing that has come to characterize him for almost twenty years. It is also a message: Argentina's identity is forever bound up with Messi, and on this evening it will be no different.
Scaloni himself couldn't hold back the tears in his pre-match press conference. He remembered the win in Qatar, spoke of their journey, and couldn't put into words what it felt like. "Playing in a World Cup with him and seeing him lift the trophy is something very emotional," he admitted, his voice shaking.
Looking to the future
As Messi takes center stage, Scaloni is looking to the future. Franco Mastantuono, 18 and a River Plate product who recently made the switch to Real Madrid, could start alongside the legend. Already, many view him as the natural heir to a jersey that has always been so pressured with expectation. With Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister out, the coach enjoys the comfort of being able to experiment and is seriously considering giving Mastantuono a spot in the starting eleven. If that were to occur, the symbolism would be powerful: the greatest player ever on the pitch alongside a teenager who represents the potential of what's ahead.
Venezuela will not play along
Across the field, Venezuela has no plans to be a guest at someone else’s celebration. Fernando Batista’s team sits seventh in the standings and still dreams of reaching a first-ever World Cup. The coach was blunt in his assessment: “I’m here to spoil the celebration, in a good way. We’re playing for qualification.” His words were backed by a squad that includes Rondón, Soteldo and Savarino, a trio capable of troubling any defense.
Argentina has a top spot already, nothing can push it aside. Venezuela comes into the match like a final, a chance to prolong the hope of the World Cup. And for Messi, it's a chance to leave the Monumental as a starter, as a captain, and maybe for the last time in a home qualifier. Win or lose, the night will belong to him forever.