Argentina show but Leo Messi keeps everyone in suspense

Argentina had fun in the friendly match played at the Bombonera against Zambia. The reigning World Champions won with a peremptory 5-0 victory. Also on the scorers’ scoreboard was Leo Messi, according to some in his last match in the Albiceleste jersey.

The Pulce doubled the initial lead signed by Alvarez just before halftime, scoring his 116th goal in the national team and the 902nd in his career (the race toward the 100th career goal continues, on a par with his longtime opponent Cristiano Ronaldo). In fact, the Inter Miami star could also have scored a brace but, in the second half, he preferred to leave the penalty awarded to the Albiceleste to another veteran like Nicolas Otamendi who did not fail from 11 meters.

“It has been a long journey, full of joys and sorrows, because this is the nature of soccer. I leave with the feeling of having given everything for the Argentine national team. I will always be ready and willing to defend this jersey,” the words of Nicolas Otamendi himself, on his last game with Argentina. And Lionel Messi? Has the time of goodbyes come for him, too?

The Argentine star has not yet made it known what he will do, at least not officially. Obviously, the entire soccer world is pushing for him to decide to participate in the World Cup, including Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni: “We have already won the World Cup, so it is important that he comes to have fun. If he eventually decides to participate in the World Cup, he should think about having fun, also because it would be his last,” the Pulce coach’s words.