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Messi's Argentina Farewell Draws Emotional Tribute from Ronaldo
Confirmed
In Short: Lionel Messi bid an emotional farewell to international football after Argentina's 3-0 win against Benin, with Cristiano Ronaldo paying tribute.
Lionel Messi bid an emotional farewell to international football after Argentina's 3-0 victory against Benin in a friendly match in Buenos Aires.
In a heartfelt message on social media, Messi thanked the clubs he played for and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country.
"Thank you to the clubs where I played, for always respecting my feelings and allowing me to dedicate myself to my country whenever it was time to put on the national team jersey," Messi wrote.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi's longtime rival, responded with a tribute on Instagram.
Leo, after so many years of defending your country, you've made history that will last forever," Ronaldo said, adding, "I have the utmost respect for what you've accomplished with Argentina.
Messi, 39, announced his retirement from international football after leading Argentina to the World Cup final in July, where they were runners-up to Spain.
"Yesterday was my last game, and I already miss wearing the blue and white. I know I'm making the right decision," Messi said in his farewell message.
The farewell match, dubbed 'The Last Tango,' drew a crowd of 85,018 fans at the Monumental Stadium, with all tickets selling out within two hours.
Messi scored Argentina's final goal in the match and provided assists for the other two.
"The feeling of having him on the pitch is unique," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said of Messi.
"The Argentine national team will continue to exist, but logically it won't be the same," Scaloni added, acknowledging the impact Messi had on the team.
AFA, Argentina's football association, is hosting a 'Gracias, Leo' Fan Fest with live music, entertainment, food, and appearances by special guests.
What this adds
The match against Benin was the last international game for Messi, who has dominated the sport for over 15 years with Ronaldo.
Fans and supporters expressed their emotions, with many recalling the impact Messi had on the sport and his country.
What's confirmed
- Lionel Messi bid an emotional farewell to international football after Argentina's 3-0 victory against Benin in a friendly match in Buenos Aires.
- In a heartfelt message on social media, Messi thanked the clubs he played for and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country.
- "Thank you to the clubs where I played, for always respecting my feelings and allowing me to dedicate myself to my country whenever it was time to put on the national team jersey," Messi wrote.
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi's longtime rival, responded with a tribute on Instagram.
- Leo, after so many years of defending your country, you've made history that will last forever," Ronaldo said, adding, "I have the utmost respect for what you've accomplished with Argentina.
- Messi, 39, announced his retirement from international football after leading Argentina to the World Cup final in July, where they were runners-up to Spain.
- "Yesterday was my last game, and I already miss wearing the blue and white. I know I'm making the right decision," Messi said in his farewell message.
- The farewell match, dubbed 'The Last Tango,' drew a crowd of 85,018 fans at the Monumental Stadium, with all tickets selling out within two hours.
- Messi scored Argentina's final goal in the match and provided assists for the other two.
- "The feeling of having him on the pitch is unique," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said of Messi.
- "The Argentine national team will continue to exist, but logically it won't be the same," Scaloni added, acknowledging the impact Messi had on the team.
- AFA, Argentina's football association, is hosting a 'Gracias, Leo' Fan Fest with live music, entertainment, food, and appearances by special guests.
What's still developing
- The pair dominated the sport for more than 15 years, winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award 13 times between them.
- “I don’t want to forget Diego [Maradona], who put our country where it deserved to be and who, as I always say, I know helped us both by being here with us and also from heaven, with every step we took,” he said.
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- About 13% of quizzers got full marks in last week's edition.
- On announcing his retirement in the weeks after his father's passing, he said he had "nothing left to give".
- How much of the verve he showed in an Argentina shirt was a reflection of the fact that he had played only 1243 league minutes prior to the tournament?
- Argentina -- Argentina is girding itself for the once-unimaginable prospect of a national team without soccer great Lionel Messi.
- “I’ll never forget it. I’d never experienced anything like that, being out there with everyone, celebrating together,” said Antonia Correa, 70, a kiosk owner recalling that day as she waited for a bus in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
- AFA chief Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia says 39-year-old Lionel Messi has been called up for match against Benin next month "so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves... here in Argentina."
- Last month FIFA ordered Argentina to play their next home match with capacity reduced to 50 percent for breaches of its disciplinary code relating to using a sports event for making demonstrations of a non-sporting nature.
- The Argentina legend has reached an agreement in principle to buy Spanish second-tier side CD Eldense, marking another major expansion of his growing portfolio of football investments.
- "The Argentine national team will continue to exist, but logically it won't be the same." Cristiano Ronaldo's fallout with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has seen the 41-year-old miss three consecutive matches, with replacement Goncalo Ramos scoring in each game.