Could this be Lionel Messi’s last home game for Argentina as World Cup champs face Bolivia?

Lionel Messi is still one of the current matches of football and recommends the type of spotlight that fits a star that still produces highlight-and-worthy moments at the regular moments. At the age of 38, however, Messi slowly collects a list of lasts for what will probably be his last world cup. One of those lasting could come as soon as Thursday, when Argentina Venezuela hosts in Buenos Aires.

The competition starts the penultimate round of World Cup that qualifies in South America, Messi makes the journey again for the games of the world champions this month. Although the hard work of qualifying is already behind her – Argentina booked their place on the World Cup 2026 in March – this may not be a routine outing for the national team. It can even be Messi’s last competitive competition in Argentina.

The legend has not yet announced his pension and at the moment he will probably stay with the national team during the World Cup. However, his plans afterwards are completely unclear. Messi’s Inter Miami contract is proceeding this year and that is there report to suggest that he will sign a new deal That will see him play at least one season before the South Florida Club, which could determine his future of his national team. No matter how you look at it, Messi does not hit competitive games to play with the national team – Argentina is a potential host for the next Copa America, but that would only be in 2028. The qualifying schedule of the next cycle is understandably not yet set, but if the 2026 cycle is something to go, his competitive games in September 2027. Messi will continue his 40th birthday then, but his 40th birthday.

A memorial material is in store on Thursday, although reflecting on Messi’s legacy will not be the only things of the day. Venezuela will have to fight that heavy battle while he hopes to book their own place at the World Cup of next year, and does this as one of the three teams that compete for a remaining guaranteed berth in the North America tournament.

This is what you need to know before you set up.

How to do Argentina vs. Bolivia views, opportunities

• Date: Thursday, September 4 | Time7:30 pm and
• Location: Monumental Stadium – Buenos Aires, Argentina
• TV: Universe | Current: Fubo (Start watching, save $ 20!), Peacock
• Chances: Argentina -550; Sign +500; Bolivia +1100

Messi is the right to decide when he will retire ‘

Questions about the future of Messi have heard great about this match, and just like the player, Argentina has not offered much in terms of answers.

“Messi still makes the difference, cracks are like that,” said Scaloni in a recent interview. “Messi has won the right to decide when he will retire. Let’s enjoy Messi while we have him.”

Messi Mania is persistent in Argentina, but this week in Buenos Aires fans seem to work together around the player because of his potentially approaching retirement. He was greeted by herds fans after leaving a theater for a production of “Rocky”, which was inspired by the 1976 film with Sylvester Stallone and his old friend Nicolas Vazquez contains. Messi said his whole family made the trip this week, The player who says after the show on stage That it is “not often that my whole family is here in Buenos Aires.”

The player also said earlier that the game of Thursday will be ‘a very, very special match for me’, creating a sentimental atmosphere around the entire affair, even if there is no confirmation about what the atmosphere should be.

The qualification of Venezuela hopes

Although many of the qualifying places of Conmebol’s World Cup are booked, there is still a guaranteed place for grabbing and another berth in the intercontinental play -off to be claimed. Venezuela is one of the three teams in the mix next to Colombia and Bolivia and although a guaranteed place is not excluded, it will be said more easily than done.

Venezuela is four points behind Colombia, which currently occupies the last guaranteed berth and can book their place on the World Cup on Thursday with a victory over Bolivia. The visitors need Colombia to drop points And Manage a victory in Argentina to have a chance to catch up on Los Cafeteros, but their world cup hope will not be fully substantiated if that does not happen. They go into the penultimate qualifying round with an advantage of one point compared to Bolivia and will have to maintain that lead on Tuesday, when they organize Colombia and Bolivia, welcome Brazil.

If they succeed in conquering a place at the World Cup, this would be the first time that Venezuela would participate in the competition.