Last Thursday's World Championship qualifying match between Argentina and Venezuela was not about the result for the Argentine fans.
The country is already clear for the upcoming World Championship in Canada, Mexico and USA and Venezuela is not an opponent that on paper instills fear in the reigning world champions.
The main character of the evening was not unexpected, but Lionel Messi's last competitive match at home was still a national concern.
The 38-year-old has announced that next year's championship will be his last in the national team jersey and no more matches are planned on Argentine soil.
There are many emotions because I know it's my last competitive match here, says Messi after the match according to La Nacion.
To get such a finale here is all I have ever dreamed of.
Before the match, the team captain was led onto the pitch by his sons, who, along with the rest of the family, watched from the stands as Messi scored two of the three goals in the 3-0 win.
Recently, it has been an injury-filled period. And even if a second World Championship title would taste good, Messi is cautious about saying too much about his status. The decision on whether he will play will come sometime next spring.
I am not ready to give up the national team jersey but time is passing, it's been many years now.
Argentina will play a World Championship qualifying match away against Ecuador next week. They will also play friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in October. However, those matches will be played in the USA.
