Photo: Collected
Lionel Messi has bid farewell to international football after playing his last match in the Argentina national team jersey. After beating Benin 3-0 in his farewell match, the Argentine superstar said many things to supporters and teammates in an emotional speech. There, raising the issue of criticism and opposition surrounding the national team, he called on everyone to stay united.
Argentina faced Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. Messi’s last international match ended in a 3-0 win. In his farewell match, he scored one goal himself and assisted in two others. After the match, an emotional farewell ceremony was held around Messi in front of more than 85,000 spectators.
Then, addressing the supporters, Messi said it is essential to maintain unity for the national team’s big successes. In his view, any obstacle can be overcome if the team stays together.
Messi said, ‘When we are together and united, we become stronger than any other team. We have the ability to overcome any obstacle. To achieve big goals, we have to stay together.’
Right after that he said, ‘There are some people who do not want to see this national team win. But we have to unite against them.’
However, Messi did not name anyone specifically in his speech. The report explained that his remark was aimed at the critics and opponents surrounding the national team.
In his farewell speech, Messi also recalled the difficult times of his international career. He said not being able to play for the national team any more is extremely painful for him. He said the experience of the last World Cup was also physically and mentally difficult.
Messi said a strong team and mutual unity are needed to achieve any big goal. He also mentioned that Argentina have achieved so much success because of that bond within the team.
Expressing gratitude to the supporters, Messi said he will greatly miss the colours of the national team jersey. However, even though he is bidding farewell to international football, he will stay beside the young players of the future and continue to support the team.
‘I do not want to leave, nor do I want to leave the pitch’ – Messi also said such emotional words. Describing being able to play for Argentina as one of the most beautiful experiences of his life, he said he is proud to be an Argentine.
Messi, who has drawn the curtain on a 21-year international career, played 208 matches for Argentina. With one goal and two assists in his farewell match, the end of his chapter with the national team also remained memorable.
