Lionel Messi brought an emotional chapter of his international career to a close with a heartfelt message to Argentina supporters, saying he was leaving the national team in peace after giving everything to the famous blue and white shirt.
The 39-year-old captain made the emotional statement ahead of his final appearance for Argentina against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
After more than two decades representing his country, Messi acknowledged the significance of the moment and reflected on the deep connection he had developed with the Argentina national team and its supporters.
“The moment has arrived. I leave in peace, I gave it my all,” Messi said in a farewell message.
He described the Argentina shirt as a major part of his life, saying it had been his dream, his pride and his identity for many years.
The veteran forward also expressed gratitude to the supporters who had followed him throughout his international journey.
“Thank you for loving me so much, thank you for your support. I will always carry you with me,” he said.
An emotional end to a remarkable journey
Messi’s farewell marked the end of an international career that began in 2005 and developed into one of the greatest in football history.
Before the Benin encounter, Messi had represented Argentina 207 times and had scored 125 goals for the national team. His appearance against Benin took his international tally to 208 matches.
He ended his Argentina career as the country’s record appearance holder and leading goalscorer, while also establishing himself as one of its most influential creators.
His journey, however, was not always defined by success.
Messi endured several painful defeats in major international finals before finally transforming his relationship with the Argentine public.
The turning point came with Argentina’s Copa América triumph in 2021. That success was followed by the Finalissima victory in 2022 and, most importantly, the FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar later that year.
The World Cup victory completed the major achievement that had eluded Messi for much of his career and cemented his place among Argentina’s greatest sporting icons.
He later helped Argentina retain their status among international football’s elite with another Copa América triumph in 2024.
From criticism to national icon
Messi’s relationship with Argentina supporters had undergone a remarkable transformation.
For years, the forward faced criticism whenever the national team failed to win major tournaments. Some supporters questioned whether his extraordinary performances at club level could be replicated with Argentina.
Those doubts gradually disappeared as Messi became the leader of a successful generation.
His performances, leadership and consistency eventually turned him into a national hero, particularly after the 2022 World Cup triumph.
By the time of his farewell, Messi was no longer simply Argentina’s captain. He had become one of the most recognisable symbols of the country’s football culture.
The end of the No. 10 era
Messi’s departure also represented the beginning of a new period for Argentina.
The national team had already started preparing for life without its long-time captain, with younger players gradually taking on greater responsibility.
The Argentina Football Association had also ensured that Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt remained exclusively associated with him until his farewell match.
His final appearance therefore carried significance beyond the result.
It marked the closing of an era that had produced a World Cup triumph, two Copa América titles and countless memorable moments for Argentine supporters.
Messi left with an extraordinary legacy
Messi’s international career ultimately delivered almost everything a footballer could achieve.
He became Argentina’s most-capped player, its all-time leading goalscorer and one of its most productive creators.
He won Olympic gold in 2008, the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, the Finalissima in 2022 and the World Cup in 2022.
His final international chapter also came after Argentina reached the 2026 World Cup final, although the team eventually lost to Spain.
Despite that disappointment, Messi’s message made clear that he viewed his international journey with satisfaction rather than regret.
His statement that he was leaving “in peace” reflected the completion of a career that had survived years of criticism, heartbreak and disappointment before ultimately reaching football’s highest summit.
For Argentine football, the farewell marked the end of an extraordinary era.
For Messi, it was the conclusion of a journey that began with a young player dreaming of representing his country and ended with him widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers Argentina had ever produced.
