‘I leave in peace, I gave it my all’: Messi ahead of Argentina farewell

Lionel Messi is set to bid an emotional farewell to the Argentina national team when the three-time world champions host Benin at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental tomorrow, with the game kicking off at 5:00am Bangladesh time.

Hours before his final appearance for the Albiceleste, Messi broke his silence with an emotional message to Argentine supporters, saying he leaves the national team with no regrets after giving everything he had.

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“The moment has arrived. This jersey was my dream, my pride, and my life. Thank you for loving me so much, I'm going to miss you,” Messi said in a video message released by Adidas on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old made his Argentina debut 21 years ago and will bring down the curtain on an extraordinary international career spanning 207 appearances, 125 goals and 66 assists. He is the country's all-time leader in appearances, goals and assists.

Messi's international journey was marked by both disappointment and triumph. He represented Argentina at six World Cups, beginning with Germany 2006 and ending with the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, where Argentina finished as runners-up.

He won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the crowning achievement of his career with the national team, while also lifting the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima, Olympic gold in 2008 and the Under-20 World Cup in 2005.

Messi has also scored 21 goals in World Cup matches, leaving him second on the all-time list behind France's Kylian Mbappe.

Ahead of his farewell, Messi reflected on the journey with a simple message: “I leave in peace, I gave it my all.”

The occasion at the Monumental is expected to be a celebration of one of the greatest international careers in football history, with several of Argentina's World Cup-winning teammates joining Messi for the farewell.

Shows are also planned before and after the match as Argentina prepares to honour the captain who delivered the country's long-awaited World Cup triumph in Qatar.

After two decades in the sky-blue and white, the final chapter of Messi's Argentina career is now just hours away.