Kicking off from Estadio Monumental, where dem fans gather like say dem wan chop jollof, Lionel Messi shine like star as him score twice for Argentina’s latest outing against Venezuela on Thursday, September 5. Na match wey everybody from the full crowd of 80,000 come to show their padi. Chai! E no easy to say goodbye o.
As Messi dey carry him three sons wey dem join am for pitch, the crowd no gree allow am start the game as dem burst out with standing ovation wey fit carry river. After the match, Messi talk wetin plenty people dey feel inside: “Being able to finish in this way here is what I always dreamed of.” (E really dey touch heart. Naija vibes wey we sabi!)
But make we clear am, the ageless wonder no don really settle for decision on whether he go dey play for 2026 World Cup. “We’ll see. I haven’t made a decision,” na wetin him yarn, as him dey talk like say na so life be – one day at a time. Talk about keeping it fresh, abi na naija mentality? E even get time to shout-out to him joy and struggles with the national team wey dey move am the most.
As he dey juggle ball like naija pikin wey dey play for street, Messi no go forget to mention say him don score 114 goals in 194 international matches. Chai! Na wetin dem fit call ‘legendary’ na him place dey since to be captain of Argentina. Na him lead dem win World Cup for 2022 and he don share Copa America two times. No be small achievement! (You fit imagine how dem boys dey bubble!)
The match itself be correct show of skill as him secure two goals in d 39th and d 80th minute. Wetin dey vex fans wey wan see hat-trick? Na the offside flag wey spoil the party for him on that very last chance. dey say dem no wan make Messi chop pure joy finish. But Lautaro Martínez no carry last one as he pull one for d 76th minute. Na team work dey make d dream work, you get?
As e stand so, Messi dey think retirement like movie script wey no dey certain ending. E don sabi say him go dey 40 when World Cup qualifying start for 2027. As him dey talk am so, e still dey enjoy every moment wey him dey hit that pitch. “I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good.” (True talk my brother, e no make sense to dey carry body go match if e no dey feel am!)
Messi don talk say e dey play match by match so him go fit maintain him vibe and feel good. For now, with Argentina on top South American qualifying standings, Messi still dey shine like diamond. Na plenty tin dey happen with qualification wey don join Brazil, Ecuador, and even Uruguay, as dem dey beat their opponents left and right. But as for Venezuela? Dem dey fight for last chance to get play-off spot. Na serious matter be dat!
My padi, as we dey watch the game wey Messi dey play, make we also dey prepare for that day wey we go say goodbye to this talent wey don clear the eyes of many. E go really touch heart if e decide to retire, but we go appreciate all d joy wey him bring. For now, na enjoy Messi time we dey! (Get your popcorn ready!).
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng