Full text of Messi’s farewell speech as he retires from Argentina
Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi concluded his international career on a triumphant note, leading the national team to a 3-0 victory over Benin Republic in a friendly match early Wednesday.
In his final appearance, the 39-year-old Messi played a crucial role, scoring one goal and providing two assists. He finishes his international career as Argentina’s all-time leading player with 208 caps and a record 126 goals.
Following the match, Messi addressed a crowd of 85,000 fans, delivering an emotional farewell.
“I have nothing left to do but thank this shirt,” he said. “For 20 years, even through the worst moments, I never stopped fighting, pushing forward, giving everything I had and wanting to be here.”
Messi expressed the emotional weight of retiring from the national team. “If it were up to me, I would love to be here for my entire life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing there is.”
Reflecting on his last World Cup, he stated, “We arrived in the final with just enough left in us, but we fought until the very end, like we always did. We came very close to winning it again.”
He acknowledged the support of his teammates, saying, “It was a privilege and an honor to share the pitch with all of my teammates,” and he commended them for their dedication. “To achieve the biggest things, you need a strong group.”
Messi also expressed gratitude to the fans. “Wherever we played in the world, the stadiums were always full of Argentinians,” he said. “Your support has to continue. There will always be people who want to see the National Team fail, and we can’t give them that satisfaction.”
He concluded with deep appreciation, saying, “I leave grateful, proud, and at peace. Thank you for everything.”
