Messi s home court breakout: Go away while leaving blank space, leave the future to time

On this night of 4th on Buenos Aires, the Monument Stadium was full. In the stands, a banner with the words "Thank you for everything, Captain" fluttered in the night wind. During the warm-up before the game, Messi was filled with tears in the cheers of the audience, and he couldn't suppress his emotions; in the subsequent game, he used two goals to help Argentina defeat Venezuela 3-0 in the 2026 US-Canada and Mexico World Cup qualifiers, interpreting this perhaps the last home qualifier into his own curtain call night.

Messi has not announced his withdrawal from the national team, and he is expected to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup. However, since Argentina played Venezuela at home, there was only the last round of the away game against Ecuador in this World Cup qualifier, which made the night's game possible to be Messi's last World Cup qualifier in front of his motherland fans. From the streets of Rosario to the peak of the world, his figure has long surpassed the outcome of the game. Before the match, he expressed his breath-holding voice: "This will be a very special game for me, because this is my last World Cup qualifier in Argentina. I don't know if there will be friendly matches or other matches afterwards..."

This is a farewell without a close. He did not say "goodbye", but just left an uncertain future. Because of this, the unresolved blank space seems even more touching.

Argentine head coach Scaloni was also moved at the pre-match press conference: "This will be a touching, special and wonderful game because this is his last time to play in the World Cup qualifiers. And I will be the first to enjoy and cherish this experience."

The Argentine team's goal order seemed to become a narrative on this night: in the 39th minute, Messi received a pass from Alvarez to score first; in the 76th minute, Lautaro Martinez headed the ball to expand the score; in the 80th minute, Messi pierced through the opponent's goal again, adding the most complete footnote to the curtain call. The cheers of fans became more intense after each goal, and also pushed the farewell mood to a climax.

The final whistle sounded, and Messi's name was shouted. Songs, tears and applause merged into him. He looked up at the stands, waved his hand, stuck out his tongue, but did not say goodbye.

That night, he lit up the stage with a goal, but ended the chapter with blank space. The night sky in Buenos Aires echoed and shouted. Messi did not say goodbye, but only left his figure in the night wind, and the future will still be continued.