Two-goal Messi's 'farewell' to home country

LIONEL MESSI bid an emotional farewell after playing his final competitive match for Argentina on home soil and admitted he could retire from international football ahead of next summer's World Cup.

- BY SIMON CASS

The 38-year-old scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Venezuela in their last home fixture of the qualifying campaign. The world champions have already reached next summer's tournament in the United States.

The Inter Miami superstar could not hold back the tears as the crowd in the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires chanted his name pre-match, with his family watching on.

His three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, then joined him on the pitch for the national anthems.