Argentina captain Lionel Messi confirmed on Wednesday that he was convinced of his decision to end his 21-year international career, one day after his final appearance in his country’s shirt during a 3–0 friendly win over Benin at the Monumental Stadium in the capital Buenos Aires. Messi, 39, said in a message posted on his Instagram account: “Yesterday’s match was my last, and I’ve already begun to miss wearing the sky-blue and white shirt.”
Messi announces decision after final appearance
“I know I am making the right decision.” He described his time with the national team as an extraordinary journey that brought many moments of joy and some sadness, stressing that every step along the way had been worth it. The farewell message came hours after Messi led Argentina before more than 85,000 spectators in the match against Benin.
The Inter Miami forward scored the third goal from the penalty spot and created the two goals scored by Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz. Messi said his remarks after the match had not been enough to convey his feelings on farewell night, adding that he had many things left to say and wanted to express them, and that it was impossible to sum up everything he felt in a few words or a single post.
Messi’s message thanks family and national team
The Argentina captain devoted a prominent part of his message to his family, saying that his international career would have been impossible without their support, particularly during difficult periods. He also thanked his friends and all the players, coaches and members of the technical staffs he had worked with over more than two decades.
Messi also mentioned Diego Maradona, who coached him with the national team during the 2010 World Cup, saying: “I do not want to forget Diego, who put our country in the place it deserved.” He added that, as he always says, he believed Maradona had helped the national team when he was there with them and had continued to help it “from heaven” at every step.
Messi also thanked the clubs he represented during his career, explaining that they had always respected his commitment to his national team and allowed him to devote himself to representing it whenever it was time to wear Argentina’s shirt. He also expressed his gratitude to God, saying the journey would not have reached this point without His guidance and will. He ended his message by expressing his gratitude to everyone who had accompanied him, saying: “I am grateful for everything.”
“I love you very much, I will miss you, and I will always thank you for being there for us and for me.” Messi ended his international career after making 208 appearances, a record in the history of the Argentina national team, and scoring 126 goals. He won the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 editions of the Copa América, and the 2022 Finalissima with his country.
Messi’s international journey began in August 2005 against Hungary before ending against Benin on a celebratory night featuring light shows, fireworks and drones. During his final appearance in the sky-blue and white shirt, his national team-mates and family members gathered around him on the pitch.
