Lionel Messi Bids Emotional Farewell to Argentina with a Memorable Victory
A Historic Farewell at Monumental Stadium
File image shows Argentina captain Lionel Messi waving at the crowd, bidding farewell to 85000 fans at Monumental Stadium
(Photo: @Soccer_Laduma/X)
Buenos Aires, Oct 7: Lionel Messi concluded his final match for the Argentine national team with a triumphant victory, scoring a goal and receiving a heartfelt send-off from the 85,000 fans at Monumental Stadium.
The farewell event for Messi was nothing short of spectacular, featuring live music, tributes, dazzling lights, drones, and an artistic display that captivated the audience before, during, and after the game against Benin.
After a scoreless first half, Argentina managed to penetrate the African team's defense in the second half. Nicolas Otamendi initiated the scoring, paving the way for Lionel Scaloni's squad to secure the win.
With the match under control, Nicolas Paz added to Argentina's tally, and in the closing moments, the highlight of the evening arrived: Messi netted the third goal, marking a fitting end to his farewell match in front of his fellow countrymen.
During his farewell, Messi delivered an emotional speech, expressing gratitude for his experiences in the national jersey, reflecting on challenging moments, praising his teammates, and urging support for the national team in the future.
Overcome with emotion, Messi took the microphone at Monumental Stadium after the match to articulate the significance of wearing the sky blue and white colors.
"It’s very difficult to say anything, there are so many emotions. The first thing I think about is my dad. All I can do is express my gratitude. Playing for the Argentine national team is the best thing that can happen to you. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I experienced one of the best moments of my career here, when we returned to play after winning the championship. It was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me,” he reminisced about the celebration following Qatar 2022.
He also acknowledged the unwavering support he received nationwide: “I was fortunate to travel across the country, and you all consistently filled the stadiums and stood by us. I will always be thankful for that.”
“I'm saying goodbye to the National Team, I'm going to miss you all, I'm going to miss it, but now it's my turn to be on that side,” he shared.
The festivities kicked off before the match with a performance by Un Poco de Ruido (UPDR), featuring Sebastián Mendoza and Roman, el Original. Following them were Santi Cairo, Q' Lokura, and Damas Gratis, who energized the crowd at the packed Monumental Stadium. The Argentine National Anthem was beautifully sung by Fabio Santana, a veteran of the Falklands War.
After Argentina's 3-0 triumph over Benin, the celebration continued at the Monumental with a specially arranged show. A stunning display of drones, banners, pyrotechnics, and lights transformed the stadium, leading into the second phase of the festivities.
The musical finale featured Soledad Pastorutti, followed by Ulises Bueno, who showcased his performance "Trampa". The day concluded with a heartfelt message from Lionel Messi, capping off an unforgettable night for the captain and the fans who attended his farewell match with the Argentine National Team.