It is the end of an era. Lionel Messi is playing his final match for Argentina on Tuesday night into Wednesday, against Benin. Ahead of the 2022 World Cup winner’s farewell, tributes have been pouring in, including emotional messages from two of his former Paris Saint-Germain teammates, Neymar and Angel Di Maria.
At 39, Messi is preparing to close the Argentina chapter of his extraordinary career for good. With 207 caps and 125 goals before this final appearance, the iconic No. 10 will wear the Albiceleste shirt one last time against Benin. A few hours before the game, Messi delivered his own farewell message: “The time has come. I leave at peace, I gave everything. This shirt was my dream, my pride and my life for years. Thank you for loving me so much, thank you for your support. I will always carry you with me.”
Di Maria and Neymar pay emotional tribute to Messi
Angel Di Maria, Messi’s longtime Argentina teammate who also played alongside him at PSG during the 2021-22 season, spoke emotionally about his compatriot’s farewell. “The day nobody wanted to see arrive is officially here: Messi is saying goodbye. But today, I saw the photos he posted and watched the videos going around, and honestly, seeing him so happy, with that peace of mind knowing that he gave everything, is what makes all of us happy,” Di Maria told ESPN. “It will undoubtedly be a very special day for everyone, so thank you to him, forever.”
Neymar also sent a powerful message to his former teammate. The pair first shared a dressing room at Barcelona before reuniting at PSG between 2021 and 2023. “Everyone who loves football has been able to enjoy your talent over all these years… Today is your last match wearing the shirt of your national team, your country, and I hope you enjoy every second and that all the tributes you receive today make you happy,” the Brazilian wrote on Instagram. “It is not only Argentina thanking you, the whole world thanks you for everything you have brought to football.”
Neymar ended with an even more personal message: “Thank you for making me love football even more. It was an honor to have played against you and, even more so, to have made history by your side. Thank you.” Two tributes from former PSG players, but above all from two men who shared important chapters of Messi’s remarkable career. From Barcelona to Paris for Neymar, and from Argentina to the Parc des Princes for Di Maria, Messi’s former teammates are there to salute him as the legendary No. 10 brings his Albiceleste journey to an end.
