Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi said today that he leaves “in peace” from the team, after having “bought everything” by the shirt ‘albiceleste’, which he will wear for the last time before Benin in a private game in Buenos Aires.
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06/10/2026
by
Lusa
“ Che's got the moment. I leave in peace, I give everything of myself. This sweater was my dream, my pride and my life. Thank you for loving me so much. I will miss”, said the Argentine captain, in a video released on the social networks of the sports brand that sponsors him.
The video, which recalls several moments of Messi’s international career to the sound of the song “Gracias a la vida” (I thank her for her life, in simple translation), Argentine singer Mercedes Sosa, ends up with the attacker approaching Argentina’s jersey 10, hanging from a hanger, which she fixed before leaving, in an image that symbolizes the closure of a stage that began more than two decades ago.
Natural of Rosario, Messi, 39 years old, will compete tonight for his 208th meeting for the Argentine team, in front of Benin, from 20:00 local (00:00 in Lisbon) at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, in a meeting with exhausted stocking that will count with several tributes, live music and the presence of former companions.
Since the debut, in 2005, the advance scored 125 goals and made 66 assists for Argentina, being the player with the most internationalizations, the best scorer and the most assists in the history of the selection.
Messi played six Worlds – Germany2006, South Africa2010, Brazil2014, Russia2018, Qatar2022 and the United States, Mexico and Canada2026 –, adding 21 goals in 34 meetings, as well as being the best marker in the history of South American qualifiers, with 36 goals.
For Argentina, the historic footballer won the World Cup2022, the Copa América of 2021 and 2024, the Finale of 2022, the World Cup of under-20 of 2005 and the gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.