Messi bid farewell to Argentina with a goal and two assists / “It was a great honor to wear this jersey for over 20 years”

Lionel Messi officially bid farewell to Argentina’s national team during the friendly match against Benin, which ended in a convincing 3-0 victory for the hosts. Lionel Messi brought his national-team adventure to a grand conclusion: he provided two assists and scored a goal in his 208th and final appearance, in front of 80,000 enthusiastic fans.

Lionel Messi ended his career with Argentina’s national team and delivered an emotional speech after his final match in the “Albiceleste” jersey. Clearly affected by the moment, the Inter Miami star thanked the supporters and his former teammates for the support they had given him during his 20 years with the national team.

Messi said that playing for Argentina was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to him in life. He recalled the major trophies won with the team: the World Cup, Copa América, and Finalissima. The footballer said he was proud of the generation he had played alongside and described his teammates as “lions” and “warriors” who had given everything for the national team.

The moment was extremely emotional for the players as well. Enzo Fernández burst into tears during the speech, while the other footballers were visibly affected by the farewell.

In the end, Messi asked the Argentine fans to remain united and continue supporting the national team. He emphasized that the strength of the group is essential in difficult moments and confessed that he would miss the supporters and Argentina’s jersey.

“It is difficult for me to say anything; there are so many emotions and so many things going through my mind. The first person I think of is my father. All I can do is express my gratitude, as I said in my farewell letter. It was a great honor to wear this jersey for more than 20 years. Even during the most difficult moments we faced, I never stopped fighting, I never stopped giving everything, and I never stopped being there. Not coming back will be very painful. I swear I would love to return for the rest of my life, because playing for Argentina’s national team is the most wonderful thing that can happen to you.

Although I want to stay here forever, I feel that this is the right time. The last World Cup was too much for me. We dreamed of becoming world champions again, we came so close, and the truth is that nothing unusual happened.

I gave everything. The match against England was incredibly exhausting for us, both physically and emotionally. The truth is that I barely managed to cope. I fought as I always have, as I always did with this jersey, alongside all the teammates with whom I shared it. I have no doubt that every teammate I had alongside me always gave everything for this jersey. Thank you very much; I love you all,” Messi concluded after his farewell match, Argentina – Benin 3-0.