Messi announces end of his Argentina national team career

Lionel Messi shared his emotions after playing his final match for Argentina. Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in the match played overnight from Oct. 6 to 7. Messi scored once and provided two assists.

The Argentina forward said playing for the national team had held special meaning for him: “I never stopped fighting or giving everything I had. I wish I could stay here for the rest of my life, because playing for Argentina is the best thing that can happen to a person.”

Messi said he experienced many emotions after his farewell match. He said he thought first of his father and wanted to express his gratitude to him.

“It was a great honor for me to wear this shirt for more than 20 years,” Messi said in a statement shared on social media by the Argentina national team’s press service.