In what may very well be his final home match for the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi delivered a stellar performance, scoring a goal and providing an assist during a commanding 5-0 victory over Zambia in a farewell friendly held on Tuesday night. This event served as a significant send-off as the team prepares for the upcoming World Cup.
Messi’s Standout Performance
The 38-year-old Messi showcased his enduring talent by setting up Julian Alvarez for an early goal just four minutes into the match. He then found the back of the net himself in the 43rd minute at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires. The crowd erupted in applause, giving him a standing ovation while chanting for him to lead Argentina to another World Cup triumph. The global tournament is set to begin on June 11, with matches taking place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
In addition to Messi’s contributions, Nicolas Otamendi and Valentin Barco also scored, helping to secure a comprehensive win for the defending champions. This dominant performance was particularly important following concerns raised from their previous outing, where they scraped by with a lackluster 2-1 victory over Mauritania.
Coach's Warning and Team Selection
Ahead of the friendly against Zambia, coach Lionel Scaloni cautioned that he would consider making significant changes to the 26-man World Cup squad if the team's performance did not improve. The deadline for submitting the squad is May 30, adding pressure for players to perform well.
🐐🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/le1hqDoGqE
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 1, 2026
In this crucial match, Scaloni fielded a lineup that closely resembled the one that triumphed over France in the 2022 World Cup final. However, he notably excluded midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who is currently recovering from a muscle injury and had underperformed in the recent match against Mauritania.
Upcoming World Cup Matches
Argentina, having previously won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, is set to embark on their tournament journey against Algeria on June 16 in Group J. Following this opening match, they will face Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27. As the team prepares for these critical encounters, fans remain hopeful that Messi will lead them to success once again on the world stage.
