'I'm here to ruin Messipalooza!' - Venezuela boss sends warning to Lionel Messi & Argentina ahead of Inter Miami superstar's potential final World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires

Messi is set to return to action with Argentina over the international break in what could be an emotional affair. The 38-year-old is still yet to confirm when he will finally hang up his boots but it's widely expected that La Albiceleste's next home game will be his last World Cup qualifier on home soil.

Argentina are due to play Venezuela in Buenos Aires, with Messi having already admitted: "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."

Venezuela boss Fernando Batista is also well aware of the weight of the occasion but insists he is determined to spoil the party as his team go for all three points in a bid to boost their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 tournament. 

He told reporters: "We'll face the best team in the world. We knew privately that this could be Leo's last official match in the qualifiers in Argentina. In any case, beyond him, we're seeing the strength of a coach (Lionel Scaloni) who makes the structure work when one person leaves or another comes in. My idea is always to think about the opponent's goal; if you try to defend, it's going to go wrong in the long run. I don't know how many coaches have planned how to counter Messi. We're going to try. I'm here to ruin Messipalooza, in a good way. We respect what's possible, but we're playing for qualification or the playoffs."

Venezuela currently sit in seventh place in the standings with 18 points. Batista's side are four points off Colombia in sixth with two games left to play. The top six teams all qualify, while the team finishing in seventh will enter the intercontinental play-offs. Argentina have already booked their place at next year's tournament.

Messi and Argentina play Venezuela on Thursday at the Estadio Monumental and then head to Ecuador for their second game of the international break on Tuesday, September 9.