Football: “I already miss the Argentine jersey,” confides newly retired Lionel Messi

The end of a great era. “I already miss the Albiceleste jersey,” Lionel Messi said on Wednesday the day after his farewell to the national team during a gala match against Benin in Buenos Aires.

“Yesterday was my last match and I already miss the Albiceleste jersey,” wrote the 39-year-old Argentine idol on his Instagram account, nevertheless confirming that he had made “the right decision”.

Skip the ad

Messi played his last match with the South American selection on Tuesday in a friendly match against Benin, won 3-0 with a penalty goal and two assists from his legendary captain. “It was an incredible journey, full of joys but also some sorrows,” he added in this moving publication, where he thanked his family, his teammates and paid special tribute to the other great Argentine number 10, Diego Maradona, who died in 2020 at the age of 60. “I know he helped us by being here with us and also from heaven.”

The eight-time Ballon d'Or retired internationally with the status of top Argentine scorer in history (126 goals), best passer (70) and most capped player (208). With him, Argentina won the 2022 World Cup, the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 and Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008.