Messi, who provided two assists and scored a penalty in the match, delivered an emotional yet passionate speech after the full-time whistle at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires. During his address, he also issued a warning to his Argentina teammates, the next generation, and the fans, asserting that there are people who do not want to see the national team succeed. With Messi now retiring from international duty, he wants the future generation to take charge and elevate the country to new heights on the pitch, refusing to let those who wish to see Argentina fail prevail.
Lionel Messi , arguably the greatest footballer of all time, hung up his boots in international football after playing his final game for Argentina in a 3-0 victory over Benin on Tuesday.
Messi spoke of hanging up his boots with the satisfaction of having fulfilled his lifelong dreams. However, Messi also issued a stern warning to the fans, his teammates, and those who will represent Argentina in the future, reminding them that there are critics and detractors who wish to see the national team stumble. “As much as I want to be here for the rest of my life, I feel that, after everything, I would like to spend my whole life here. I feel that it is over. The last World Cup was too much. We were so close to fulfilling my dream and the dream of the entire country, to win the World Cup again. “We were so close to becoming champions. In the last World Cup, we were very close. Nothing strange happened. “The match against England was an enormous amount of stress for us. Many theories and different narratives emerged after the World Cup. Emotionally and physically, we reached our limits. We fought with all our strength, together with all the teammates we have had. “When we are united, we are stronger than anyone else. We can get through anything. But we will be united, and we have to remain united. To achieve the highest goals, we have to stay together. There are people who don’t want to see this national team win. But we have to unite against them.”
Having won the FIFA World Cup, the Copa América, the Finalissima, and numerous other honors, the 39-year-old leaves behind no unfulfilled ambitions.
