Will Messi Miss His Last Home Match? Injury Casts Doubt on Venezuela Clash

Lionel Messi was injured in the Leagues Cup match against Necaxa. He was forced to leave the field after 12 minutes of the match. Since then, the question in the minds of fans and supporters is how long he will have to be out of the field? Now there is a concern, will he be able to play in what is likely to be his last competitive match at home?

After Messi’s injury, most media outlets reported that Messi may have to stay out of the field for a long time. He may even be unavailable for the rest of the Leagues Cup. However, Inter Miami said in a press release that Messi has suffered a minor injury to the muscle in his right leg. Messi’s fans can find peace after reading this.

Messi’s fans may be worried for another reason. Miami did not confirm when the Argentine legend can recover from the injury or return to the field. The press release only said, “Messi’s medical clearance depends on his medical progress and his response.”

Meanwhile, Argentina has a 2026 World Cup qualifier in September. The first match will be held on September 5, Bangladesh time, against Venezuela. That means Messi will have to take the field for the national team exactly one month from today. After that match, Argentina will face Ecuador after a four-day break.

Argentine sports magazine El Gráfico has raised a question of concern about Messi in the wake of the national team’s match. After Miami issued a statement regarding Messi’s injury, the media speculated that Messi might not be seen on the field for the next two matches, including the Leagues Cup and Major League Soccer (MLS).

Miami will play against Puma in the Leagues Cup next Wednesday and against Orlando in the MLS on August 10. After that, the team has about a week of rest on its schedule. If Messi cannot recover within this time, the question that will inevitably arise is – will Messi be able to play his possible last match of his career on home soil for Argentina?

The question arises because of Argentina’s two World Cup qualifiers in September, the first against Venezuela will be held in Buenos Aires. The next match against Ecuador will be held in the host city of Guayaquil. After that, the Argentine national team has its next competitive match on its schedule in March next year. The ‘Finalissima’ against Spain.

CONMEBOL has scheduled the match for March, but has not yet set a date. However, Mexico City is being considered as a possible venue for the match. After that, Argentina will play in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Many believe that the 38-year-old Messi will end his national team career after playing in the 2026 World Cup. According to this idea and Argentina’s current competitive match schedule, the match against Venezuela in Buenos Aires on September 5 at home is likely to be Messi’s last match for the national team. And so the question arises, will Messi be able to play in that match if he cannot recover from his current injury in time?

Argentina has already secured its ticket to the 2026 World Cup through the qualifiers. But the importance of the Venezuela match for Messi is for another reason – to bid farewell to the home crowd before flying to the 2026 World Cup. However, it is also possible that Argentina can also organize a friendly match during this time. Or it can play a friendly match before the World Cup, that is another matter.

For now, the match against Venezuela may be Messi’s last competitive match at home in the Argentine jersey. And if he wants to play in that match, Messi has no choice but to recover quickly. That is what the fans want. Argentines will definitely not want to miss the opportunity to see their favorite star on their home field once again.

FAQ