Messi is for many the most important footballer in the history of Argentina, so the beginning of his farewell with the Albiceleste is melancholic and exciting.
Leo is no youngster, however, even at 38 years of age he continues to show that he is still at a great level and although today they faced a modest opponent such as Zambia, the ’10’ continues to show that he still has magic in his boots.
Messi leads the party at home with goal and assist
Argentina recorded a 5-0 win over Zambia in a match that had a clear protagonist: Lionel Messi.
The captain not only scored and assisted, but also reached a historic milestone as he has now scored against 40 different national teams with Argentina, reaffirming his international legacy.
From the start, the team led by Lionel Scaloni showed control of the game, although without too much intensity in the opening minutes.
Argentina beats Zambia 5-0
The first blow came thanks to Julian Alvarez, after a play initiated by Messi. From then on, the dominance was total, although without too much depth.
Before the break, Messi extended the lead with a precise finish, confirming his role as the star of the night. In the second half, the number 10 gave a penalty to Nicolas Otamendi, who converted it in what was his farewell on Argentine soil.
The gesture was one of the most emotional moments of the match, reflecting the captain’s leadership and camaraderie.
New faces and a consolidated base
The match also served as an opportunity for Scaloni to try out different options, with players such as Valentin Barco, Nico Paz and Maximo Perrone gaining valuable minutes.
Argentina improved in the second half, showing greater dynamism and forcefulness. An own goal and another from Barco sealed the result, in a match that ended up being a monologue.
Messi gives penalty to Otamendi
Recently, Nicolas Otamendi confirmed that the World Cup will be his farewell tournament with the Argentine national team, so today was the last game of his career wearing the Albiceleste on Argentine soil. That is why Messi gave him the penalty so that the historic Argentine center-back could say goodbye by scoring a goal in front of his fans.
Messi’s farewell to the national team is approaching
Although there is no official confirmation, everything suggests that this could have been Messi’s last match in the Albiceleste shirt at home. The connection with the crowd, every intervention and every applause had a special tone.
Beyond the opponent, the match left a good feeling collectively and allowed adjustments to be made ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
