'No one is prepared' - Lionel Messi urged to 'think very carefully' about Argentina retirement decision ahead of potential final World Cup qualifier in his homeland

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has been part of the Albiceleste set-up for 20 years, having made his senior bow in 2005. Over the course of two memorable decades, the all-time great has earned 193 caps and scored 112 goals.

He has helped his country to World Cup glory and two Copa America crowns, while also picking up an Olympic gold medal in 2008. At 38 years of age, there is acceptance in Argentina that the end of an iconic career is near.

Messi has hinted that he will be bowing out of international football after the 2026 World Cup, with an outing against Venezuela on Thursday set to be his last competitive appearance for Argentina on home soil. He has said: “It's going to be a very, very special match for me because it's the last qualifying match.

“I don't know if there will be friendlies or more matches after [Venezuela], but it is a very special match, so my family will be there with me: my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings. We're going to live it like that. I don't know what will happen next.”

Former Argentina international goalkeeper Franco Armani, who is still playing himself at 38 years of age, said at the River Plate Foundation dinner when asked about Messi approaching the end: “Let's hope not, let him think it over. Obviously, no one is prepared for that, I think. After Thursday, let him think it over very carefully.”

Messi is set to continue through to next summer’s World Cup, as he looks to defend a global title there, but it remains to be seen what the future has in store for him with Argentina and club employers Inter Miami - with a contract extension beyond the end of the year yet to be agreed with the MLS outfit.