Lionel Messi said goodbye to Argentina on a historic and emotional night in Buenos Aires by scoring a goal against the Benin team. This match was his 208th and final international appearance, in which he converted a penalty into a goal, bringing his national goal tally to 126.
Emotional Performance at the Stadium
In this friendly match, Messi not only scored but also assisted Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz. He was present on the field for the entire 90 minutes of the game, with 85,000 spectators at the 'Monumental' stadium witnessing this special performance. The audience enjoyed live music and special programs with great enthusiasm.
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In a nearly 10-minute speech, Messi shared his emotions with the fans, and some of his teammates, including Enzo Fernández, left these moments with tears. He admitted that he did not want to leave the field and was affected by the atmosphere.
Farewell to a Glorious Era
Messi's professional career at the club level will continue with 'Inter Miami' in Major League Soccer. He has a contract with the team until the end of the 2028 season. While he described his decision to say goodbye as 'painful,' he announced in August that 'the time has come' and wrote his farewell message two days after Argentina's defeat in the 2023 World Cup final.
Messi made his first international appearance in 2005 and has since become one of the legends of football history. He won the World Cup and two Copa América titles with the Argentina national team and, with 21 goals scored, is considered the second-highest scorer in World Cup history after Kylian Mbappé.
Before the match began, players entered the field with a spectacular fireworks display, and a giant shirt adorned with the number 10 and the word 'Gracias' was spread across the field. This was a night filled with joy and happiness in the capital of Argentina, and Messi was often emotional, wiping away tears on his way to the stadium.
Neymar, Rodrigo De Paul, and Ángel Di María, Messi's teammates, paid tribute to him on social media, speaking about his impact on football and their lives. This emotional farewell to Lionel Messi will be a reminder of his glorious era, not only for Argentina but for the entire world of football.
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