Perhaps Lionel Messi knew something as he played his heart out at La Bombonera in Argentina during a 3-0 win over Venezuela during which he was the best player on the field.
The 34-year-old Argentina captain scored the final goal of a perfect night in the team’s final 2022 home World Cup qualifier. It was essentially a send-off match for the team, which clinched qualification a while back for Qatar 2022 and is not expected to play again on Argentine soil until after November’s World Cup.
And it turns out the night carried extra significance for his teammate, Angel Di Maria, who announced after the match that it was his last in an Argentine jersey in his native country. However, Messi also hinted that changes could be coming for him after the World Cup.
“I don’t know. The truth is that I don’t know,” Messi told media in translated postgame comments. “I’m thinking about what’s coming next, which is Ecuador [final 2022 World Cup qualifier], and the preparation games we have after that which are in July, and I think September, October, and then the World Cup [in Qatar].
MORE: How Argentina took care of Venezuela in La Bombonera
“Then, I don’t know,” he continued. “After the [2022] World Cup I will have to reassess many things, whether it goes well or not, hopefully in the best way. But surely after the World Cup many things change.”
Some have interpreted those words to mean potential international retirement for the legendary figure who turns 35 in the summer. That scenario would make Qatar 2022 a high-stakes tournament for Messi, who is only missing that major international trophy in his decorated career.
It would be interesting to see how Argentina’s performance at the World Cup could affect Messi’s decision. A weight was clearly lifted when the team won the 2021 Copa America title, and with a big performance in Qatar, it could see Messi ride off into the sunset. Conversely, a disappointing showing for Argentina could leave Messi feeling he still has work to do.
When will Messi retire?
Messi hasn’t previously hinted at potential retirement dates, but his contract with club team Paris Saint-Germain in France runs one more season with an option for a third.
When it comes to international retirement with Argentina, Messi had previously announced he was stepping away after the 2016 Copa America Centenario final when Argentina lost to Chile on penalties. It was another frustrating tournament ending for Argentina and Messi, who lost Copa America finals to Chile and Brazil, and also dropped a heartbreaking 2014 World Cup final to Germany.
MORE: Messi’s career record with Argentina
He went back on that decision and it was a good thing for Argentina that he did. He helped the team qualify for the 2018 World Cup — the team lost to eventual champions France in the Round of 16 — and he finally captured his first international trophy with the Albiceleste at the 2021 Copa America played in Brazil.
Messi looked like a man on a mission throughout that 2021 tournament, and his teammates didn’t hide the fact that they were playing to get him a trophy. His lack of success with Argentina in tournament play had been one of the holes in an illustrious career which saw him ascend to global football icon with Barcelona.
But a retirement following the 2022 World Cup, especially if that tournament ends in a trophy for him and Argentina, is a likely scenario based on his words and his age. By the time the following World Cup comes around in 2026, he will be turning 39 years old.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong at 37, field players in their late 30s rarely star on the World Cup stage. Most of the World Cup players in the 37-40 age bracket have been goalkeepers, with only a handful of non-goalkeepers making the list: Roger Milla (42 years old at 1994 World Cup), Stanley Matthews (39 years old at 1954 World Cup) and Angel Labruna (39 years old at 1958 World Cup).
The 2022 World Cup projects to feature Brazilian duo Dani Alves, who will be turning 39, Thiago Silva (38) and Luka Modric (37). Ronaldo, also 37, will hope to join that group.
Angel Di Maria retirement from Argentina
Messi’s PSG teammate, Di Maria, is the same age as Messi, and he made clear his retirement plans following the Venezuela match, which saw him come off the bench to score yet another beauty for Argentina and serve the ball to Messi on a spectacular give-and-go.
Di Maria took to Instagram and shared the following message:
“I’m only going to tell you thank you for the enormous affection I received. I always dreamed of everything I experienced on this beautiful night. It was surely my last game with this shirt in Argentina.
“And to be able to say it was a marvelous night is an understatement. Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thanks. And congratulations to the whole team for the amazing game it played. It was a perfect game by everyone. Let’s keep growing and dreaming together. Let’s go Argentina!”
MORE: South America World Cup qualifying standings
That announcement didn’t come with an official international retirement date. But it would make sense that it would come only after the 2022 World Cup. Di Maria continues to be an important figure for Argentina, deciding matches on his own and showing a special chemistry with Messi on the field.
Di Maria has played in 121 matches for the senior Argentina side since debuting in 2008, scoring 24 goals including the delightful lofted chip against Venezuela at La Bombonera.
When he entered the match as a sub with 20 minutes left, and then again after scoring the goal, the crowd serenaded him by chanting of his nickname “Fideo” (“Noodle” for his wiry frame).
They didn’t know that it would be for the final time.