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 Jose Salomon Rondon and Jhon Murillo put the Vinotinto into a commanding position and, even though Argentina pulled one back via Lautaro Martinez, a Josef Martinez penalty restored their two-goal lead.
The first goal of the game arrived as the players were still finding their feet and it was a stunning strike, as Rondon hit a sweet volley past Franco Armani.
Argentina then started to take some control and pushed for an equaliser, but Venezuela were always dangerous on the counter attack.
As half time neared, Messi started to turn it on and had a long-distance blast well saved by Wuilker Farinez and also saw his cross to Lautaro headed over, but then the opposition caught Argentina out at the back with a quick freekick that ended up in Murillo's goal.
There were changes at half time, but Messi stayed on and completed the whole 90 minutes, setting up Lautaro again 14 minutes into the second half for Argentina's goal.
Yet Venezuela won a penalty not long afterwards when Murillo was taken down by Juan Foyth and Martinez converted.
Messi kept trying and kept firing, 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.