🚨🎙️ LEO MESSI FULL SPEECH:
"I have nothing left to do but thank this shirt. For 20 years, even through the worst moments, I never stopped fighting, pushing forward, giving everything I had and wanting to be here.
"Not coming here anymore and no longer being with the Argentina National Team is going to hurt a lot. If it were up to me, I would love to be here for my entire life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing there is.
"I think I’m talking more than ever today because I simply don’t want this moment to end.
"But I think the time has come for me to retire. The last World Cup took a lot out of us after everything we went through. We arrived in the final with just enough left in us, but we fought until the very end, like we always did.
"We came very close to winning it again, and despite everything that was said about us, nothing strange happened. The match against England took a lot out of us because we gave absolutely everything.
"In 2022, we had the dream of fulfilling not only my dream, but the dream of an entire country: becoming world champions again. And we did it.
"We won the World Cup, the Copa América, the Finalissima… I’m incredibly grateful for everything I experienced with this National Team.
"But this journey wasn’t only about 2022 or this last World Cup. So many teammates fought alongside me for this shirt long before we finally became world champions. Never doubt how much every one of them fought and gave for Argentina.
"It was a privilege and an honor to share the pitch with all of my teammates and to share so much of our lives together away from football. Every time we stepped onto the pitch, I knew we could compete against anyone because I had warriors beside me who were willing to leave absolutely everything out there.
"To achieve the biggest things, you need a strong group. And it’s during the most difficult moments that you truly discover what kind of team you have. That’s one of the biggest reasons we were able to achieve everything we did.
"And especially to this group: THANK YOU. They helped me fulfill the dream I had since I was a child. They helped me become a world champion.
"I also want to thank the people. I was lucky enough to play in so many cities across Argentina, and everywhere I went, I received an incredible amount of love.
"Throughout all these years, wherever we played in the world, the stadiums were always full of Argentinians. No matter the match or the distance, people made an enormous effort to be there. We know how difficult that is. Wherever we went in the world, it felt like we were playing at home because we could always feel your support.
"And that support has to continue. Difficult moments will come, and those are the moments when you have to support the team more than ever. You need strong, united groups because there will always be people who want to see the National Team fail, and we can’t give them that satisfaction.
"Here, in this stadium, I experienced one of the happiest days of my life: our first match at home after becoming world champions. It was beautiful. And today might be one of the saddest because I’m standing here saying goodbye.
"I’m going to miss all of you so much, but I’ll always be on your side. I’ll be supporting these boys and everyone who comes after them.
"There are so many emotions going through me right now. I’m surely forgetting many things I would like to say because this is a very difficult moment for me. The first person who comes to my mind is my dad.
"I’m going to miss playing here so much. I love you all, and I’m proud to be Argentine.
"I leave grateful, proud and at peace. Thank you for everything.” 🇦🇷❤️
Elena Rybakina starts her first week as the World No. 1
The 30th WTA World No. 1 in the history of the sport
Reigning Australian Open Champion, US Open champion, & WTA Finals Champion
Truly the best tennis player in the world
May this be the first of many weeks on top
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Elena Rybakina came to the U.S. Open off of a bad foot injury, but it turned into one of the greatest Grand Slam title runs of all-time.
She missed the entire first week of practice, but believed she could recover, focus, and play her way into this tournament…
Think about how hard that is.
On top of that, she had to beat:
4-time Grand Slam Champion Naomi Osaka.
Olympic Gold Medalist Qinwen Zheng.
2-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff.
4-time Grand Slam Champion and the reigning world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
She won her last 3 matches of the tournament in 3 sets.
On top of that, she leaves as the World No. 1.
She does not let the world know her feelings on the court. She doesn’t scream when she’s pumped up. She doesn’t lose control when she misses a sitter. She keeps an icy fortress of composure and focus around her, no matter the moment.
Because of that, not everyone knew the strength, guts, and fire she possesses inside.
But instead of telling us, she’s showing us who she is.
An icy mindset, a heart made of fire, and above all… one of the truest champions the game has seen.
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Elena Rybakina becomes the 2nd woman in history to beat the world No. 1 in multiple Grand Slam finals in a single season.
Steffi Graf - Roland Garros, US Open - 1995.
Elena Rybakina - Australian Open, US Open - 2026.
Simply the best.
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Elena Rybakina kisses her U.S. Open trophy.
2nd Slam of the year and will be the world No. 1 on Monday.
Insane talent, world-class mentality, and a humble heart.
She deserves it all. 😘🏆
Rybakina d. Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 at the U.S. Open
ELENA IS A US OPEN CHAMPION.
This is her 3rd Grand Slam title.
Her 2nd Grand Slam title of 2026.
She’s now won 3 of the 4 Slams… the only one she’s missing to complete the Career Grand Slam is Roland Garros.
She’s now beaten Aryna in two Grand Slam finals this year.
Overpowering tennis in the most effortless & composed way possible… nobody else on the planet can play tennis like that.
✅41st top 10 win
✅10th top 10 win of 2026
✅49th win of 2026
Tennis is so lucky to have her.
She’s the world No. 1 and now a 3-time Grand Slam Champion… but she has no ego.
Just hard work, belief, & humility.
The most special champions don’t have to tell you who they are, they show you.
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