Overview
- Messi said in a public social-media post that the friendly against Benin was his final match for Argentina and that he already misses wearing the national colours.
- In the message he thanked his family, teammates, coaches, staff and the clubs that let him serve the national team and said he believes he made the right decision.
- Messi invoked Diego Maradona in his farewell, saying Maradona helped the team from heaven, and he expressed deep emotion about leaving the captain’s No. 10.
- The post drew hundreds of thousands of responses from fans and peers, including a public congratulatory reply from longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Coverage frames the announcement as the end of a champion era after six trophies with Argentina and leaves questions about how the national team will move forward without him.