The day we least expected has arrived. One of the most iconic partnerships in world football is coming to an end.

Lionel Messi, the most successful player in the history of the ‘Ballon d'Or’, will bid ‘farewell’ to the Argentina national team this Tuesday, 6 October, in a friendly against Benin.

It will be his grand farewell match at the Estadio Monumental, surrounded by his family, the Argentine fans and teammates from different eras of the ‘Albiceleste’.

However, ahead of this match, many are asking: why has Messi made this decision when he is still in great form at 39?

Although it may seem a difficult stance to understand, the captain himself has explained his reasons in his farewell letter:

Messi’s emotional message

After all this time since the final, having thought long and hard about it, I want to tell you all that I am retiring from the national team…

It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts – deep in my soul, but I realise that the time has come.

I swear to you that I’ve always given my all – not just in recent years, but in the years before we won everything too – and I’ve always fought and given my all for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

There’s not long to go now and chapters are coming to a close – and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some brilliant young players coming through who deserve their place.

Thank you for all the love over these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you all from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, always cheering you on and supporting you from the sidelines (through thick and thin – especially the tough times).

Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful yet difficult journey.

Thank you to every single coach, team-mate and official I’ve had the privilege of working with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments we’ve shared.

I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, moments we could only have dreamed of. It was incredible to have experienced it all with you. I love you all!

Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Come on, Argentina!


An indelible legacy

Messi’s farewell marks the end of the most successful era in the history of Argentine football.

Following his debut for the senior national team in 2005, the Rosario-born player competed in six World Cups and wore the captain’s armband for over a decade.

He also cemented his place as the all-time leading goalscorer with 125 goals and as the player with the most appearances in the national team’s history, with 207 matches.

His honours with the Argentina national team include the 2022 Qatar World Cup, two Copa América titles (2021 and 2024), the 2022 Finalissima, as well as a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2005 Under-20 World Cup.

Messi bids farewell to international football, bringing to an end a career spanning more than two decades at the pinnacle of the global sport. A golden era for Argentine football has come to an end.

Nothing will ever be the same again.