🚨🎙️ 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.” 🇦🇷❤️
The day we never wanted to come is finally here. Tonight, Leo Messi will play his final match for the Argentina National Team.
And speaking completely objectively, I can’t think of a more beautiful and emotional story in any sport than the one between Lionel Messi and Argentina. It’s the kind of story that I’m sure will one day become a movie and have books written about it.
It’s a story that every person can use as motivation in life, no matter what happens, never give up and keep fighting for your dreams.
You fall? Get back up. You fall again? Get back up again and keep fighting.
This story had everything, sadness, happiness, injustice, justice, criticism, praise, defeats and victories. After so many disappointments, Leo Messi still managed to achieve absolutely everything with Argentina, everything that had always been his biggest dream in football. He achieved it through his leadership, his effort, and alongside an incredible group of players.
I’ve watched six World Cups, and not a single one of them was without Messi. I don’t know the Argentina National Team without Messi, and I don’t know Messi without the Argentina National Team.
I can’t imagine not having that extra excitement anymore, knowing: “Hoy juega Messi.” I don’t think any player will ever be able to give me the same feeling I had watching Messi play, especially when he was wearing the Argentina shirt.
And maybe the worst part is realizing that, as time passes, it slowly takes away the childhood that Leo Messi gave us, and there’s absolutely nothing we can do to stop it.
A 21-year story is coming to an end and I can proudly say that I regret nothing. I witnessed around 90% of Messi’s entire journey with Argentina, and throughout all those years, I never once turned against him. I suffered and enjoyed everything with him.
It didn’t matter who Argentina were playing. Whether it was the World Cup, Copa América, World Cup qualifiers, or simply a friendly game, I can confidently say that whenever it was possible for me, I was there watching every single game.
There’s really nothing more I can say.
Thank you, Leo.
This was the most beautiful story in the history of sport and I’m proud and grateful that, me, we, the fans, were able to be a part of it too. 🇦🇷🐐
🚨Watch: This tribute video by France Football is truly one of the best ever made for the 🐐🙌🏻
Happy Birthday, Lionel Messi — thank you for all the magic. ❤️
TERRIFYING: A North African migrant tries to break in and abuse a female bus driver in Spain after she refused his sexual advances.
Women are no longer safe in Europe.