Lionel Messi was back for Argentina, but it wasn't a happy return for the No.10 as Venezuela won the friendly at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano by a 3-1 scoreline.
First half goals from José Salomon Rondòn and Jhon Murillo put the Vinotinto into a commanding position and, even though Argentina pulled one back via Lautaro Martìnez, a Josef Martìnez penalty restored their two-goal lead.
There were changes at half time, but Messi stayed on and completed the whole 90 minutes, leading a counter attack that Lautaro finished 14 minutes into the second half for Argentina's goal earlier than Venezuela won a deciding penalty
Messi kept trying and kept firing, got even an injury, but there was to be no way back for the Albiceleste as they suffered another soul-crushing defeat at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, one year after their 6-1 loss to Spain.