Messi: ‘I’m grateful and proud to be an Argentine’

Lionel Messi said he’s “grateful and proud to be an Argentine” as he bid farewell to the national team on Tuesday, playing his last-ever game for the Albiceleste in a 3-0 win over Benin in a friendly.

Scoring one and assisting another at the Monumental Stadium, the Argentine football legend proved he still very much has what it takes to play for Argentina, but the legendary forward shared some of his reasoning for his farewell after the game. 

“It’s very hard to say anything today,” said Messi, adding his “first thought” was of his father, who passed away on August 8.

The Argentine star was given the microphone after a drone light show featuring images from his career delighted the fans, and the folklore singer Soledad Pastorutti dedicated a song to him. 

“It’s going to be very painful [not to play for Argentina anymore]. I swear to you I’d like to come here all my life,” he said. “Playing for Argentina was the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me.”

Messi said that the 2026 World Cup was “too much” for all that he “had to go through.”

“The match against England was very draining on us,” he added, spurring chants of “If you don’t jump, you’re an Englishman” with even the Argentina squad jumping behind Messi.

The Argentina legend insisted the team “fought like they always did” in the final, where the Albiceleste fell against Spain, and lamented they were unable to repeat as world champions.

“I want to thank my teammates, who helped me fulfill the dream of becoming a World Cup winner,” Messi said. “We competed against anyone because we left our lives on the pitch.”

Messi told the fans he’ll “miss them a lot.”

“I was lucky enough to travel around the country, because we’ve played everywhere, and I was always met with a lot of warmth,” he said. “I’m incredibly grateful for all that I got to live through.”

He went on to thank the fans for “always selling out the stadiums” despite the cost it entails  and said Argentina always felt “like we were playing at home, everywhere.”

“In this stadium I got to live one of the happiest moments in my career, coming home after winning the World Cup,” he said. “Now it’s the saddest day in my career. I’m going to miss wearing Argentina’s colors. Now I’ll be [on the stands], supporting this team and everyone who comes after.”

Messi said Argentina is “stronger than anyone” when united, and admitted that “harsh times will come” because the team can’t always win, but that fans have to be “more united than ever” because “there are folks who want the national team to struggle.”

“I love you, and I’ll miss you,” said Messi. “I’m grateful for being an Argentine, proud to be an Argentine, and to have fulfilled our dream together.”

The Argentina legend then made a lap around the stadium and left the pitch to a guard of honor formed by the Argentina players, with his three sons.