The soccer star will continue playing with Inter Miami following his retirement from his home country’s team.
Read more Christa Pike discharged from hospital, 10 days after failed execution attempt
Lionel Messi took to the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday evening for one final game alongside Argentina. Sporting the country’s blue-and-white Albiceleste jersey, Messi led the team to a 3-0 win over Benin in a friendly match.
The stadium bid farewell to the icon with a drone show, a giant jersey spread across the field and fireworks. Messi, the team’s longtime captain, concluded the game with a speech to fans.
“Honestly, I don’t want to leave here. I don’t want to leave the field,” he said. “I love you. I’m going to miss you. I’m grateful to God, like I said, for being Argentinian, proud to be Argentinian and to have fulfilled this dream with all of you. Thank you.”
Fans watching the game, many in tears, expressed their gratitude for Messi’s “epic era” and the national pride he brought to Argentina.
Read more NFL decides fake juice-box celebrations are okay after all
“Messi is an idol,” Emilia Ojeda said from outside the stadium. “He did something that is quite rare here in Argentina, which is unite all Argentinians. Whoever you meet in the street, we’re united by the love and pride of Messi and how he represents Argentina.”
Though the icon is saying goodbye to his home country’s team, his soccer career isn’t coming to an end. He is scheduled to continue playing with Inter Miami CF through at least December 2028, when his contract is set to end.
Catch up quickly every weekday morning with a rundown of the 7 most important and interesting stories. Sign up for The 7 newsletter.
Read more An offensive line in flux and more X-factors for Commanders vs. Giants
