Messi Pays Emotional Tribute to Maradona and Late Father After Final Argentina Appearance

Lionel Messi has paid emotional tribute to Argentine football legend Diego Maradona and his late father, Jorge Messi, following what is expected to be his final appearance for the Argentina national team.

The 39-year-old captain reflected on his international career in an Instagram post on Wednesday, admitting that he already missed wearing Argentina’s iconic sky-blue-and-white jersey but remained convinced that the decision to step away was the right one.

Messi described his time with the national team as an “incredible journey” filled with memorable victories, difficult setbacks and unforgettable experiences.

He said every stage of the journey had been meaningful and expressed gratitude to those who supported him throughout his international career.

The Argentina star also remembered Maradona, one of the most influential figures in the country’s football history.

Messi said he did not want to overlook Maradona’s contribution to Argentine football, noting that the late World Cup-winning captain helped place the country among the elite of the sport.

He added that he believed Maradona continued to support Argentina, both during his lifetime and from “heaven.”

Messi also used the emotional moment to honour his father, Jorge Messi, who died on August 8, 2026, at the age of 68 following a prolonged illness.

Sharing a photograph of himself wearing the Argentina shirt and looking towards the sky, Messi wrote a heartfelt message about how much he and his family missed his father.

During his emotional farewell after Argentina’s match against Benin, Messi had also spoken about his father, revealing that his first thought amid the celebrations and emotions of the night was “mi viejo” — his father.

The veteran forward thanked his family, friends, teammates, coaches and the clubs that had supported his international career over the years.

He also expressed gratitude to God and Argentina’s passionate supporters for remaining behind the team through both its successes and difficult moments.

Messi’s final appearance came on Monday night at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, where Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in front of more than 85,000 spectators.

The legendary forward scored from the penalty spot and provided two assists, giving the home supporters another memorable performance as he brought his international career to an emotional close.

The match was Messi’s 208th appearance for Argentina, further cementing his status as the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer.

His international career, which spanned 21 years, included major triumphs and painful disappointments before culminating in Argentina’s most successful recent era.

With his farewell now seemingly complete, Messi leaves behind a remarkable legacy with the national team, while his tributes to Maradona and his late father added a deeply personal and emotional dimension to the end of his Argentina journey.

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