For his very last match in the jersey albicelesteLionel Messi bowed out through the front door against Benin (3-0). A meeting brimming with nostalgia to celebrate a monumental international career, concluded after 208 caps and 126 goals.
However, the evening began with frustration. In the first period, the 39-year-old star lacked success, multiplying his attempts without succeeding (7th, 24th, 26th, 33rd). But as soon as he returned from the locker room, the captain resumed his conductor costume. In the 48th minute, his precisely placed corner allowed Nicolas Otamendi to open the scoring with a volley from the right. A strong symbol for the central defender, who also bid farewell to the selection.
Thirteen minutes later, Messi distributed his 67th and final assist in national colors. From the right side, he served in the axis Nico Paz, whose curling shot from the left cleared the top corner. Despite an unmissable right (74th) and a shot on the post (89th), number 10 ended up finding the net. At the very end of the match, he liberated the stadium by converting a penalty with a powerful strike under the bar. He then celebrated with his teammates before greeting his family, installed in a box on the verge of tears.
A long speech to finish
The meeting, interrupted in the 10th minute for a vibrant tribute, continued with a masterful ceremony. A drone show lit up the sky over Buenos Aires, forming the face of the player, the World Cup and the phrase “Capitan Eterno”.
Microphone in hand, down jacket on his back, the eight-time Ballon d’Or concluded the evening with a poignant speech.
“It’s difficult to say something today, there are a lot of emotions, a lot of thoughts racing. The first person I think of is my father, he confided to begin with. I can only express my gratitude, as I did in my farewell letter. It was an immense pride to defend this jersey for more than 20 years. Even in the worst times we went through, I never stopped fighting, struggling, giving everything and always being present. Not coming here again will be a great pain. I swear to you that I would like to continue coming all my life, because playing for the Argentina team is the most beautiful thing that can happen. »
“As much as I would like to stay here forever, I feel like the time has come. What I experienced during the last World Cup was intense. We dreamed of becoming world champions again, we came very close, and the reality is that nothing abnormal happened, he continued.
We gave everything, the match against England was very testing for us, both physically and emotionally. In reality, we have reached the limit of our strength. We fought as always, as we have always done with this jersey, with all the teammates I have been around. Have no doubt: all the teammates who played alongside me always gave everything for this jersey.
“I want to thank my teammates for the time spent with this group; they allowed me to realize my childhood dream: to be world champion, American champion, winner of the Finalissima and of all the competitions we competed in, he said again. It was an immense pride to share these moments with them, on and off the field. I entered the field ready to face anyone, because I knew I had warriors by my side ready to give their all. »
“I will miss playing here immensely. I have had the chance to travel all over the country and have always received immense affection. I am grateful for what I experienced. I’m grateful for all the time spent playing in front of packed stadiums, whatever the match: World Cup, Copa AmĂ©rica… You were everywhere, trying so hard — because we know how difficult it is — and we always felt at home, wherever we were. We really felt it. Today, back here, I am undoubtedly experiencing the saddest day of my career, because it is the time to say goodbye to the selection and to all of you. I will miss defending the colors of the national team, but from now on I will be on your side, with all of you, to support these guys and everything that follows. Always united. »
“ It has been amply demonstrated that when we come together and stand united, we are stronger than anyone and able to overcome any challenge. Difficult times will come, for sure, because what has been accomplished during this period is extraordinary. And in those moments, we will have to be there to support them more than ever. As I always tell them, as I said during our last chat: to achieve big goals, you have to form solid and united groups, because some want to see the selection fail. We must not give them the pleasure of it.
It is in hard times, difficult trials, that we see the true value of a group. Without a strong group, it is very difficult to achieve this. And I can tell you that we were an extraordinary group; it is thanks to this that we have accomplished everything. To tell the truth, I’m talking more than ever, I don’t want to leave, I don’t want to leave the field. I just want to tell you that I love you, that I will miss you and that I thank God that I am Argentinian, I am proud to be and to have achieved my dreams with all of you. »
Joined by his wife Antonella and their three sons, the legend with six international trophies left the pitch through a guard of honor set up by his partners, definitively sealing the end of a golden era for Argentine football.
