Argentina 5-0 Zambia: Emotional Messi scores in friendly as defending champions prepare for World Cup
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Argentina 5-0 Zambia: Emotional Messi scores in friendly as defending champions prepare for World Cup")
Emotional Messi scores in friendly vs Zambia in possibly last home game Photograph: (X/Selection Argentina)
Messi started against Zambia in a friendly on Mar 31 ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 where he's still not certain to play. The tournament is scheduled to be played from Jul 11 to Jul 19 in the USA, Canada and Mexico, meaning the 38-year-old may have played his final match at home.
Argentina footballer and global superstar Lionel Messi was visibly emotional after what could be his final match at home. Messi started against Zambia in a friendly on Tuesday (Mar 31) ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 where he's still not certain to play. The quadrennial tournament is scheduled to be played from Jul 11 to Jul 19 in the USA, Canada and Mexico, meaning the 38-year-old may have played his final match at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires in Argentina. Notably, Messi had played a pivotal role in Argentina win its third FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Lionel Messi in Argentina vs. Zambia in FIFA friendly
Argentina won the match 5-0 against Zambia in a full stadium. Messi, who definitely was one of the reasons for massive fan turnout, did not disappoint and scored 43rd minute just before the end of first half to double Argentina's lead to 2-0. Apart from him, Julian Alvarez scored in 4th minute, Nicolas Otamendi scored in 50th minute on a penalty, Dominic Chanda netted one in 68th minute but for Argentina, before Valentin Barco finished things off in 90+4 minutes with another goal.
In a video going viral on social media, Messi can be seen being emotional as fans sing songs with the team standing on the pitch. Have a look at he video below:
Will Messi play in FIFA World Cup 2026
There's no certainty as of now on if Messi will play in the upcoming FIFA World Cup or not. Before the tournament though, Argentina are scheduled to play another friendly against Serbia in June and if Messi starts in that, he'll most likely to play in the quadrennial tournament as well.
Argentina, winners of 1978, 1986, and 2022, FIFA World Cups, are in Group J along with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. The defending champions start their campaign against Algeria on June 16 before taking Austria on June 22 and finishing off the group stage against Jordan on June 27.
