Lionel Messi blamed the conditions of the pitch Estadio Monumental de Maturín for Argentina's "ugly' 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday night in their first World Cup qualifier of the October international window.

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi's return to international duty in the South America's World Cup qualifiers.

On the same day, Hurricane Milton escalated into a Category 5 storm, casting doubt over the travel plans of Lionel Scaloni's team and the safety of the Argentina players. As thousands of Floridians evacuated their homes, La Albiceleste had to plot their own way out before Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm.

Lionel Messi returned to action with the Argentina national team for the first time since the Copa América final on July 14 in a 1–1 draw against Venezuela.

Lionel Messi seemingly faulted the poor pitch for Argentina's frustrating draw with Venezuela in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday.