Lionel Messi received emotional messages from teammates, former colleagues and fans as Argentina prepared to say goodbye to their legendary captain on Wednesday.
Messi is making his final international appearance against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match marks the end of an extraordinary career with the national team.
Fans flooded the areas around the stadium hours before the match. Thousands gathered to witness Messi wear the Argentina shirt for the final time.
The emotion was clear even before Messi reached the ground. The Argentina captain was seen in tears while arriving at the stadium on the team bus.
Tributes also arrived from across the football world. Neymar, Messi’s former Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain teammate, thanked his longtime friend for everything he had given to football.
“It’s not only Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you have done for football,” Neymar wrote on Instagram.
“Thank you for making me love football even more. It was an honour for me to have played against you and even more so to make history alongside you.”
Rodrigo De Paul also shared an emotional message for his Argentina captain and close friend. The pair also play together at Inter Miami.
“He made me grow not only as a footballer, but also as a person. I became a better person, a better human being, a better athlete, a better father and a better friend,” De Paul said.
“I want to tell him that I love him. He knows that he is my brother and that he has an enormous heart.”
Former Argentina star Angel Di Maria said it was a moment nobody wanted to see arrive.
“Seeing him with so much happiness, and that tranquillity of knowing that he gave everything he had, is what makes us all happy,” Di Maria said.
“It will be a very special day for everyone. I thank him for life.”
The emotions grew stronger when Messi finally walked onto the pitch.
His sons accompanied him during his final pre match entrance as an Argentina international. They embraced their father as he stepped onto the Monumental pitch for the last time in national colours.
Messi’s children also stood alongside him for the national anthem before the match against Benin.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was visibly emotional during the anthem as the stadium prepared to say goodbye to its greatest star.
Messi leaves behind a remarkable international career. He helped Argentina win the World Cup and two Copa America titles while becoming his country’s record scorer. His journey with the national team included years disappointment before he finally led Argentina to their biggest prizes.
Ahead of his final appearance, Messi summed up his feelings with a short message.
“I leave in peace. I gave everything.”
