With a little hindsight, Lionel Messi has reflected on his farewell match for the Argentine national team on social media. Cristiano Ronaldo also paid his respects to the 39-year-old.
Whether it was manager Lionel Scaloni, team-mate Enzo Fernández or Messi himself: Lionel Messi’s farewell from the Argentine national team was a tearful affair. A few hours after the match in Buenos Aires, which Argentina won 3–0 against Benin – with “La Pulga” scoring three goals – the exceptional player looked back on an emotional night via Instagram.
“ ‘Yesterday was my last match, and I already miss wearing the blue and white shirt,’ began Messi, who nevertheless continues to stand by his decision. ‘It’s been an incredible journey, full of joy but also some sad moments; yet for me, there’s no doubt that every step was worth it.’
Messi also pays tribute to Maradona
It is “impossible to express all my feelings in a few words or a single post,” explained the Argentine, who took the opportunity to once again emphasise the enormous importance of his family: “This journey would not have been possible without my family, who have always stood by my side and supported me, especially during the difficult moments when I needed it most.”
Messi also had words of thanks for all his “friends, team-mates and managers, as well as their assistants”, who have accompanied him over the years. Among them, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also counts Diego Maradona, who passed away in 2020 and under whom Messi first captained the Albiceleste: “I don’t want to forget Diego, who took our country to where it belongs and who – as I always say – helped us with every step we took, both here with us and from heaven.”
At the end of his farewell post, the 39-year-old also addressed the clubs whose shirts he had worn alongside the Argentine one during his professional career. He thanked them “for always respecting my feelings and allowing me to devote myself to my country when it came to wearing the national team shirt. And, of course, I thank God: without His guidance and His will, we would not even have dreamt of getting this far.”
“A hug” from Cristiano Ronaldo
“Full of gratitude”, Messi is now stepping down from the national team. His significance in the history of the Albiceleste is immeasurable – the fact that over 300,000 people commented on the emotional post within an hour underlines this.
Among those commenting, however, was Cristiano Ronaldo himself – his greatest sporting rival for many years: “Leo, you have represented your country for so many years and written a story that will be remembered forever. I have the utmost respect for what you have achieved with Argentina. A hug,” said the Portuguese player in tribute to the Argentine.
