Lionel Messi confessed this Wednesday that he already misses the Argentine team, just 24 hours after playing his last game with the Albiceleste. The Argentine star said goodbye before more than 80,000 fans at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, in a day marked by tears, ovations and tributes.
Messi, 39, closed his time with the Argentine national team on Tuesday by scoring a penalty in the 3-0 victory over Benin. The match put an end to a historic international career with the albiceleste shirt.
“Yesterday was my last game and I already miss wearing the light blue and white. I know I’m making the right decision,” Messi wrote on Instagram.
“It was an incredible path, full of joy and also some sadness, but I am clear that it was worth every step I took,” added the Argentine captain.
In his message, Messi thanked his family and his teammates and also dedicated a few words to Diego Maradona, who died in 2020 and one of the great figures in the history of Argentine football.
“I know that he helped us by being here with us and also from heaven, in every step we took,” said the forward, in reference to Maradona’s legacy and the great successes achieved by Argentina.
Cristiano Ronaldo dedicates a message to Messi
Among the thousands of reactions to Messi’s publication, that of Cristiano Ronaldo stood out, who sent a message of respect to the Argentine.
“Leo, so many years defending your country and a story that will remain forever. All my respect for what you have achieved with Argentina. A hug,” the Portuguese wrote.
Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo starred for years in one of the greatest rivalries in the history of football, although both have expressed their mutual respect on different occasions.
A controversial farewell
Messi’s farewell at the Monumental included fireworks, an emotional anthem, a giant t-shirt with the word “Thank you” and a drone show over the stadium.
Precisely, the drone show generated numerous criticisms and ridicule on social networks. The organizers initially included the promotion of an insurance company and one of the projected figures showed Messi hitting the ball with his right foot, despite the fact that the Argentine built his career as a left foot.
Messi leaves the Argentine national team as the all-time top scorer, with 126 goals, leader in assists, with 70, and player with the most games played, with 208.
With Rosario as the main reference, Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the 2021 and 2024 Copa América and the 2022 Finalissima. Added to these titles is the Olympic gold achieved in Beijing 2008.
