The night at the Estadio Monumental was marked not only by the victory of the Argentina national team over Venezuela, but also by an unforgettable encounter between two icons of Argentine culture: Lionel Messi and Charly García. The musician, a legend of national rock, attended the match that had been billed as Messi’s last in the country wearing the Albiceleste shirt.

Images of the artist in the stands quickly spread across social media, but the most emotional moment came after the final whistle, when Charly came face to face with the Argentine captain and shared a heartfelt greeting.

A historic greeting at the Monumental

After the 3-0 win over Venezuela, with a Messi brace, the captain took time to greet several special guests. Among them was Charly García, who had expressed his wish to meet the country’s most celebrated footballer up close. The musician waited for him outside the stadium, where the long-awaited meeting finally took place.

With Rodrigo de Paul and AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia present, the moment was immortalized in a photo that quickly went viral. It captured both the players’ joy and García’s emotion at being able to share a few minutes with the Rosario-born star.

Messi and the uncertainty of the 2026 World Cup

Beyond the tribute and celebratory atmosphere, Lionel Messi’s words after the match left a question mark over his future with the Argentina national team. The captain, who has played in five World Cups and lifted the trophy in Qatar 2022, admitted that his presence in the 2026 tournament is not guaranteed: “Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it, but I’m still excited and motivated. I go game by game,” he said.

Messi stressed that his decision will depend on how he feels physically in the coming months: “If I feel good, I’ll enjoy it, and if not, I’d rather step aside. Today was probably my last home match with the national team,” he declared emotionally.

Led by Lionel Scaloni, the Albiceleste will close out the qualifiers as a solid leader and prepare to face Ecuador in Guayaquil. Meanwhile, the image of Messi and Charly García together will stand as one of the most symbolic moments of a night that blended music, football, and nostalgia.