South America in the World Cup qualifiers: Argentina vs. Venezuela, which two more historic records will Messi compete for?

The significance of some competitions has long surpassed the score itself, and has become a symbolic moment in people's memory even before the start of the game. The upcoming showdown at the Monument Stadium - Argentina vs. Venezuela may be the end of an era. Argentina national team captain Messi previously announced that this game may be the last World Cup qualifier he will participate in in the local area. And this sentence also turned this originally regular qualifier into a unique, private but highly anticipated event.

As if this sentiment is not strong enough, history also gave him a record opportunity: Messi is expected to become the player with the most appearances in the history of the World Cup in South America. He has played 71 games so far. If he can play against Venezuela, he will tie the record of Ecuadorian player Iván Hurtado in 72 games; if he can still get playing time in Quito's game against Ecuador, he will undoubtedly top the record with 73 games. In his career, which has endless legendary chapters, a new record will be added.

data have always been a proof of the legendary player's strength. In Argentina, Messi played in 45 games for the national team, scoring 35 goals (including 23 goals in the World Cup and 12 goals in the friendly match), and sent 20 assists. He played at home in Argentina's jersey, and he participated in a total of 55 goals. This performance also explains why every time he returns to home, it arouses great expectations.

As the best scorer in the history of the World Cup qualifiers in South America (34 goals), Messi is expected to hit another achievement in this double-game window: he has scored 6 goals in this World Cup qualifiers. If he can surpass Colombian player Louis Dias with 7 goals, he will once again become the best scorer in this World Cup qualifiers, thus continuing the outstanding momentum of efficient goals in this event since the 2010 South Africa World Cup qualifiers to the 2026 US World Cup qualifiers.

Therefore, this game is by no means an ordinary showdown. It will be the intersection of a brief moment and an eternal legend: both the moment when a new record is born, and a farewell to a stage of the local World Cup qualifiers. Messi will once again welcome Messi's arrival, perhaps his last time at this stadium. And the whole country of Argentina will also stare at him with determination as countless times in the past - because every minute he wears a blue and white robe is writing the history of Argentina football.