Lionel Messi has paid emotional tribute to Argentina legend Diego Maradona and his late father, Jorge Messi, following what is being described as his final appearance for the national team.
- Messi reflected on his international career in an Instagram post on Wednesday, admitting that he already missed wearing Argentina’s famous sky-blue-and-white shirt but remained convinced he was making the right decision.
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The 39-year-old described his time with the national team as an “incredible journey” filled with moments of happiness and difficult experiences, adding that every part of it had been worthwhile.
Messi also remembered Maradona, one of the most revered figures in Argentine football, for his contribution to the country’s footballing identity.
“I don’t want to forget Diego, who put our country where it deserved to be,” Messi said, adding that he believed Maradona had supported Argentina both during his life and from “heaven.”
Alongside a photograph of himself wearing the Argentina shirt and looking towards the sky, Messi wrote: “You don’t know how much we missed you last night…”
The Argentine captain also remembered his father during his emotional on-field farewell after the match, saying his first thought amid the emotions of the night was of “mi viejo”, his father.
Messi thanked his family, friends, teammates, coaches and the clubs that had supported him throughout his international career. He also expressed gratitude to God and Argentina’s supporters for standing by the team through its successes and setbacks.
Messi scored from the penalty spot and provided two assists as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 at the Monumental Stadium on Monday night in front of more than 85,000 supporters.
The match marked his 208th appearance for Argentina and brought an emotional end to a 21-year international career in which he became the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer.
His farewell, coupled with tributes to Maradona and his father, added a deeply personal dimension to the end of one of the most celebrated international careers in Argentine football.