It’s never easy to say goodbye, but it was practically a perfect night for Lionel Messi to say goodbye to the Argentina national team, and for his country to celebrate the hope and joy that the legendary #10 gave them over two decades.
One Last Night of Messi Magic in Sky Blue and White
FIFA #93 Benin served as the opponent for Lionel Messi’s farewell at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The friendly match was Argentina’s tribute and goodbye to Messi, and even the Benin players acknowledged it was something special to be part of this game.
The defending World Cup finalists began slowly, with the scores surprisingly level at halftime. Benin was able to find some space going forward, and Argentina lacked the finishing touch to take the lead. The second half was more in line with the script, however. Messi had two assists and converted a penalty as Argentina won 3-0 in an emotion-filled clash.
Messi’s first assist came from a corner, setting up a goal for another retiring legend of the Argentina national team, Nicolás Otamendi. Otamendi opened the scoring, then Messi assisted the young Nico Paz in the 61st minute. In the 71st minute, everyone got the opportunity to take their cell phones out in the sold-out Monumental as Messi scored a final penalty, a final goal for his country, a goal for an entire nation, and all of his fans worldwide to savor and celebrate.
With goal #126 for Argentina and two assists, even in his final game, Messi was the main engine and creator for Argentina, as he’s carried his country for all these years.
Tears and Fireworks for Lionel Messi
It was everything around the match that mattered most for Messi and his teammates. Messi was photographed crying on the team bus en route to the stadium. After a lengthy opening ceremony that featured Messi’s #10 displayed in a tifo on the field and a massive fireworks display, Fabio Santana played the full-length version of the Argentine national anthem that is rarely performed in public. At that time, Messi and his manager, Lionel Scaloni, both visibly cried, as more than 85,000 Argentines in the stadium sang.
In the 10th minute, there was a pause to cheer on the captain, and everyone rose to their feet as more fireworks went off.
Messi’s post-match speech capped an emotional day, with the captain having a chance to address the world. In a lengthy speech Messi said “I have nothing left to do but thank this shirt. For 20 years, even through the worst moments, I never stopped fighting, pushing forward, giving everything I had and wanting to be here. Not coming here anymore and no longer being with the Argentina National Team is going to hurt a lot. If it were up to me, I would love to be here for my entire life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing there is.”
Messi also acknowledged the warriors he played alongside over the years for Argentina: “Every time we stepped onto the pitch, I knew we could compete against anyone because I had warriors beside me who were willing to leave absolutely everything out there.” He closed by making it clear he was leaving on his own terms, retiring “at peace” with the national team and all he had accomplished for his country.
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Messi’s Legacy and a Changing of the Guard
All week Argentina had the opportunity to celebrate Lionel Messi, and that’s exactly what they did. From his corporate partners, including Adidas, to ordinary supporters on the street, everyone in the country said “Gracias Leo” in the biggest displays possible, including putting his number 10 jersey up in a huge display in Rosario, his hometown.
The AFA released their own tribute video, stating over clips of his greatest moments that after 22 years, Lionel Messi didn’t just win titles, he inspired a nation as a role model and inspired Argentines to dream and be strong in the face of adversity. They called “Messi the greatest of all time, because he made us better.”
Adidas’ tribute featured the words of Messi, set to Mercedes Sosa’s “Gracias a la vida,” where he said simply “thank you for loving me so much.”
Messi was revered by his teammates as the ideal leader on, and off the field, and by his final national team coach, Lionel Scaloni. For now, Scaloni will continue to lead the national team into a new era, but once Messi retires from Inter Miami, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him leading Argentina from the bench.
Messi was never able to properly say goodbye to FC Barcelona. The difficulties of his contract and the fact it wasn’t renewed happened in such a way that he never got a full send-off at the Camp Nou. But for his country, he was able to be properly celebrated as a legend.
Now the rest of Argentina’s XI has to move forward, aiming to repeat in the Copa America in 2028. There’s Julián Álvarez, Nico Paz, Enzo Fernández, and other world-class players who will still be wearing the jersey, but with Messi’s departure, there’s a hole in the lineup and in the heart of every Argentine after tonight.
Extra Time Notes
There probably isn’t a perfect way to say goodbye to Lionel Messi. Argentina came as close as anyone could have hoped. He scored, assisted twice, watched his country stop a match just to applaud him, cried during the anthem, and walked off the field knowing exactly what his country thought of him. Barcelona never got this moment. Argentina did. The kid from Rosario who once left home chasing a football dream returned as the greatest player in the history of his national team, and finally got to leave with the entire country saying the same thing: Gracias, Leo.
Read More: Messi vs Maradona Debate: The Five Incredible Reasons Messi’s Legacy Now Stands Above Maradona’s
Main Photo Credit: Imago Images
