October 7, 2026
On Tuesday evening, the captain of the Argentine national team, Lionel Messi, described his last match in the “Tango” shirt as “the least happy day in his life,” following the victory over the Benin national team 3-0 in a match that saw him score one goal and assist two others.
Messi addressed the crowd at the Monumental Stadium, expressing the difficulty of the situation, thanking his father and the fans for their long support, considering that defending the colors of the Argentine national team was a great pride and the most beautiful thing in his life, stressing that he never gave up despite the difficulties.
Speaking about the World Cup tournaments, the Argentine star pointed to the impact of the great effort made, especially in the England match, which exhausted the team mentally and physically, explaining that the team was aspiring to achieve the title again after completing 2022 and gave everything it had on the field.
Messi thanked his teammates for their contribution to achieving the dream of winning the Copa America World Cup, expressing his pride in sharing the dressing room with them and stressing that they are fighters who sacrificed everything for the national team’s shirt. He also expressed his deep gratitude for the overwhelming love he received from the fans in all the stadiums, recalling the historic reception in the same stadium after the 2022 World Cup as the most beautiful moment in his life.
Messi concluded by saying that he will transform from a player to a fan behind his teammates, stressing the importance of cohesion and unity to face the challenges ahead, and stressing in his last message: “I love you and I am proud because I am Argentine and I achieved my dreams with you.”
It is noteworthy that this international farewell comes as Messi’s professional career continues, as his contract with the American club Inter Miami extends until 2028.
