Lionel Messi, aged 39, officially announced his retirement from the Argentina national team following a friendly match against Benin. The game took place on Tuesday night at the iconic “Monumental” stadium.
After the match, Messi made a significant return to social media on Thursday, sharing a heartfelt message, followed by a symbolic photograph. He recreated a famous celebration from his career—this time holding the Argentina national team jersey instead of Barcelona’s, the last team he represented in the match against Benin, which ended in a 3-0 victory.
Messi’s Iconic Tribute
Referencing a memorable moment from the El Clasico match back in 2016-2017 at the Bernabéu, Messi had famously celebrated a victory for Barcelona by lifting his jersey to the sky, showcasing his triumph over Real Madrid fans. Now, nearly a decade later, he revisited this celebration on Instagram, this time with the Argentine jersey and the word “Mulțumesc” (Thank you) above his number 10.
Messi’s Emotional Farewell Message
“Yesterday was my last match, and I already miss wearing the blue and white jersey. I know I am making the right decision. It has been an incredible journey, filled with joy and a bit of sadness, but I am sure that every step I took was worth it. I still have so much to say. It’s impossible to express everything I feel in a few words or a single post. This journey would have been impossible without my family, who have always been by my side and supported me, especially in difficult moments when I needed them the most. My friends have been indispensable, as well as all the teammates and coaches I have had, along with their staff. I don’t want to forget Diego, who brought our country to where it deserved to be and, as I always say, I know he helped us both while he was here with us and from above, with every step we took. Thank you to the clubs I played for, for always respecting my feelings and allowing me to dedicate myself to my country when it was time to wear the national team jersey. And, of course, thank you to God: without His guidance and will, we wouldn’t have dreamed of achieving so much. I am so grateful. I love you all very much, I will miss you and I will always thank you for being by our side, by my side.”
Lionel Messi
