Lionel Messi said he would “take stock of a lot of things” after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, without specifying his thoughts, Friday evening after the victory of his Argentinian team against Venezuela (3- 0) in Buenos Aires. “After the World Cup, I will have to take stock of many things. Whether it goes well or badly. Let’s hope it’s in the best way, ”said the captain of Albiceleste (already qualified), author of the 3rd goal against Vinotinto during this penultimate day of playoffs for the single South American group.
“After the World Cup, I don’t know”
Asked to clarify his thoughts on his future, he replied: “I don’t know. I think of what is coming and which is very close, and it is the match against Ecuador (Tuesday in Guayaquil). Then, the preparation matches in September and October. Then the World Cup. And then, I don’t know.”
“I’ve been happy here in Argentina for a while. It’s nice to savor with this audience and this selection, like winning the Copa America with a wonderful group, ”said the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner with 81 goals in the Argentinian jersey. He also stressed that Friday’s victory at the legendary Bombonera stadium was important “to say goodbye to the people because we will not play (in Argentina) again before the World Cup”.
In an uneventful match against bottom-runners Venezuela, Lionel Messi guided an already qualified Argentina to a 3-0 victory that emerged late in the game, finding the way to the goal he had been looking for. For the close of this 17th and penultimate day of South American qualifying for Qatar, the 34-year-old seven-time Ballon d’Or touched a profusion of balls, slalomed between defenders, served in depth the two points that surrounded him. , fired all the free kicks near the area in a fairly clear collective desire to score.
A full match…against the worst team in South America
But it’s Rodrigo De Paul who twice lit the decisive spark in the mythical Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires. A first time on a low center for Nicolas Gonzalez who deceived Lens goalkeeper Wuilker Fariñez (34th), then on a deep opening for Angel Di Maria, who had just entered (79th).
Messi absolutely wanted to score and find the flavor of the goal. It felt with these free kicks intended to seek a head in the surface that he twice fired directly. His teammates knew it and tirelessly sought to serve him, even if it meant making the pass too many. It was his PSG friend Di Maria, with whom he suffered the cruel disillusionment of Madrid and the whistles of the Park, who served him the much desired offering.
Served by Messi to the right of the area, Di Maria stalled, feigned and served his captain absolutely alone at six meters: amortization of the chest and resumption of the hazardous right which nevertheless crossed the line (82nd). Messi’s smile and the abundance of congratulations from his teammates are worth any explanation. Far from Paris, Leo Messi was looking to have fun in the midst of his family. Mission accomplished