Lionel Messi bid a tearful farewell to Argentina fans on Thursday night in what is expected to be his final competitive home match.The 38-year-old fittingly bowed out with another fine display, netting twice in a comfortable 3-0 win over Venezuela in front of a sell out crowd at River Plate’s iconic Estadio Mas Monumental.GettyLionel Messi was at his brilliant best in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Venezuela[/caption]Messi struck in both halves in what was billed as his last official game in his home country and one he described as ‘very, very special’ prior to kick off.However, in his post-match interview, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner hinted he could retire before next summer’s World Cup.The night started in celebratory fashion with Messi struggling to hold back tears as the capacity crowd in Buenos Aires chanted his name relentlessly.The Inter Miami star was later joined by sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, for the walkout and national anthems.No guarantees He then told fans that his participation at the World Cup was not a given and that he would only be involved if his body allowed him to.“Same as I said before about the World Cup, I don’t think I’ll play another,” Messi told reporters.“Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it. But well, we’re almost there, so I’m excited and motivated to play it.“Like I always say, I go day by day, going by how I feel.“I’m trying to feel good and, above all, being honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it, but when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good. So we’ll see. I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup.“I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left.GettyMessi was joined by his three sons for the walk out and the national anthems[/caption]“So, we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully, I’ll have a good preseason in 2026 and finish this MLS season well, and then I’ll decide.”The perfect endingMessi appeared to enjoy his evening, shrouded by affection from the stands and topped off with another superb performance for the Albiceleste.“This year we had a lot of matches, a lot of sequences of games. Luckily, I was able to play three in a row; it’s day by day, feeling the sensations,” he added.“It’s clear that today was the last one with points at stake here, but day by day I try to feel good and, above all, be honest with myself. If I feel good, I enjoy it.“If I feel bad, I’d rather not be here. A lot of things happened, being able to finish this way here was what I always dreamed of.“Being able to celebrate with my people… for many years I received a lot of affection at Barcelona, and my dream was to also have it here, in my country, with my people. For many years, many things were said, but I’m left with all the good we did.”GettyArgentina fans paid a glowing tribute to Messi in his final home competitive match[/caption]Messi was reduced to tears in the warm after being serenaded by the home supportPrior to Thursday’s match, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni paid an emotional tribute to Messi ahead of his final competitive match in his homeland.“This is a match which Leo has said will be emotional, special, nice because it’s true that it’s our last qualifying match. We have to enjoy it, as we’ve always been saying. More than anyone, I will enjoy it,” Scaloni said in his press conference.“Having been able to coach him has honestly been a pleasure and let’s hope that fans who go to the stadium will also enjoy it because he truly deserves it.“Tomorrow will be a nice match. I’m sure that it won’t be his last game in Argentina and I say that we’ll make sure that if he decides it’s the last game, we play another because it’s obvious to do that in the right moment and because he deserves it.“He earned the right to decide when to stop. He will always have support.”Messi will miss Argentina’s final World Cup qualifier next week against Ecuador due to fatigue.He currently stands as his country’s all-time record goalscorer with 112 goals in 193 appearances.