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Lionel Messi's first international match in Argentina - Who were his teammates and where are they now?

Lionel Messi possibly played his final international match in front of the Argentina fans on Friday night as he hinted that he may consider retirement from international football after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Argentine defeated Venezuela in a 2022 World Cup qualifying game (CONMEBOL) 3-0 where the skipper also found the back of the net.

La Albiceleste play their last two qualifying matches in Ecuador and Brazil respectively. After the Venezuela tie, Messi hinted at bringing down the curtains on his illustrious international career once the showpiece event ends later this year.

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"After the World Cup I'm going to have to rethink a lot of things, whether it goes well or badly," he said.

"There is a wonderful group here. People love me a lot and every day they show me more. I am very grateful. It does me good every time I come to Argentina. After the Copa America win, much more. Everything flows naturally and it is easier on the field. Winning helps make everything nicer and easier."

As the Argentine fans likely got a final glimpse of their hero, we take a look at the Barcelona legend's first international match in Argentina.

It was a 2006 World Cup qualifying game held at the Monumental Antonio V. Liberti in Buenos Aires. Argentina beat Peru 2-0 as Juan Roman Riquelme found the back of the net from Messi's assist. The other one was an own goal scored by Peru's Luis Guadalupe.

Let us take a look at who Messi's teammates were in that game and where are they now.