Published : 07 Oct 2026, 12:03 PM
Updated : 07 Oct 2026, 12:03 PM
Lionel Messi had spent much of the night fighting back tears. When the time came to say goodbye, he found it difficult to stop talking.
For nine minutes at the Monumental, the Argentina captain looked back on more than two decades with the national team -- the triumphs, the painful years, the teammates who shared them and the World Cup final defeat that brought his last tournament to an end.
He also spoke about the person who was foremost in his thoughts.
"It's difficult to say anything today. There are a lot of emotions and a lot of things going through my head," Messi said after Argentina's 3-0 win over Benin.
"The first thing I think about is my old man."
His father Jorge died on Aug 8, less than three weeks after watching his son play his final World Cup match against Spain.
Messi then turned to the shirt he had worn since making his senior Argentina debut in 2005.
He said it had been an enormous source of pride to represent his country, including during the years when success seemed a long way away.
"Even in the worst moments, I fought for it," he said.
Messi's international career included defeat in the 2014 World Cup final and three losing Copa America finals before Argentina finally broke through by winning the continental title in 2021.
The World Cup followed in Qatar in 2022, along with another Copa America title two years later.
Messi said he was grateful for everything he had experienced with Argentina. Leaving it behind, however, would be difficult.
"Not coming anymore will be very hard for me," he said.
"I swear I'd like to keep coming my whole life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you."
‘Nothing Strange Happened’
Messi also used his farewell to address talk surrounding Argentina's defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
Argentina had beaten England in an emotionally charged semi-final before losing 1-0 to Spain four days later.
"In the last World Cup, what I experienced was overwhelming," Messi said. "We had my dream, and everyone's dream, of becoming world champions again. We came very close.
"Nothing strange happened, as people say."
Messi instead pointed to the toll of the England match.
"The game against England was very demanding for all of us physically, and emotionally it took a huge toll," he said.
Argentina had still fought until the end, he said, but had gone into the final with little left.
Messi also defended the commitment of those who had shared his Argentina career, including players from the years before the trophies finally arrived.
"We fought with all these players, with them and with those who came before," he said. "But have no doubt that every teammate I always had beside me gave everything for this shirt, always."
He thanked the group with whom he finally became a world champion and won the Copa America and Finalissima, saying it had been an enormous source of pride to share the pitch with them.
Messi then turned from the team he was leaving to the one that will continue without him.
He warned that difficult periods would inevitably return because Argentina's extraordinary run of success could not be considered normal.
"To achieve big objectives, you have to build strong and united groups," he said.
"There are people who want to see the national team doing badly, and we mustn't give them that satisfaction."
Messi said difficult moments were when the strength of a group truly became apparent.
"We are an extraordinary group and that's why we achieved everything we achieved."
It was a message shaped by his own experience.
Messi's Argentina career had once appeared destined to be defined by what he had not won. He briefly retired from international football after another Copa America final defeat in 2016 before returning and eventually captaining the country through its most successful period in decades.
By the time he stood with a microphone at the Monumental on Tuesday night, there was little left unresolved on the pitch.
Messi had just completed his 208th and final appearance with a goal and two assists, taking his international tally to 126.
He then recalled another night at the same stadium -- Argentina's first home game after winning the 2022 World Cup, against Panama.
"At this place, I experienced one of the happiest days of my career, which was the first match after the World Cup," Messi said.
"It was the happiest day of my career. That day was spectacular."
His return to the Monumental this time could hardly have felt more different.
"Today, here again, is the saddest day of my career because I'm going to miss defending the colours of the national team," he said.
"Now I'm going to be on that side," he added, pointing towards the stands, "supporting it."
Messi thanked the supporters who had followed Argentina around the country and said the team had always felt at home wherever it played.
Then he returned to the moment he was reluctant to end.
"I'm talking more than ever and I don't want to leave here," Messi said.
"I love you and I'm going to miss you. I'm proud to be Argentine. Thank you very much. I love you."
