Enzo Fernández broke down in tears as Lionel Messi delivered an emotional farewell speech to the Argentina national team and supporters following the country’s 3-0 victory over Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The October 7, 2026, occasion marked the end of Messi’s international career after more than two decades representing Argentina. His final appearance was filled with emotion, with teammates, coaching staff and supporters struggling to hold back tears as the legendary forward reflected on his journey with the national team.
Messi scored from the penalty spot and provided two assists in his 208th and final international appearance, taking his Argentina goal tally to 126.
Messi’s Farewell Speech Leaves Teammates Emotional
Following the final whistle, Messi took a microphone and addressed a crowd of more than 85,000 supporters inside the Monumental.
The Argentina captain thanked the national team shirt, reflected on the difficult moments he had experienced throughout his career and admitted that leaving international football would be deeply painful.
“I swear I would like to come for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you,” Messi told the crowd.
He described the occasion as the saddest day of his career and acknowledged that he was speaking longer than usual because he did not want the moment to end.
Messi also urged supporters and future generations of Argentina players to maintain the unity that had helped the country achieve success on the international stage.
His speech carried additional emotional weight as he referenced his father, Jorge, who died in August 2026.
Enzo Fernández Struggles to Hold Back Tears
Cameras repeatedly focused on Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernández as Messi delivered his heartfelt address.
Fernández stood among his teammates visibly crying, reflecting the emotional significance of the moment for a player who grew up watching Messi represent Argentina.
The midfielder has a personal connection to the national team captain. As a teenager, Fernández wrote Messi a letter following Argentina’s defeat in the 2016 Copa América final. Years later, he went on to share the dressing room with the player he had admired from afar.
Fernández subsequently described the farewell as an occasion filled with mixed emotions, admitting that he cried heavily during the celebrations.
His reaction captured the feelings of a generation of Argentine footballers who grew up watching Messi’s career unfold before eventually becoming his teammates.
Other players and members of the coaching staff, including head coach Lionel Scaloni, also showed visible emotion during the ceremony and farewell speech.
A Career That Defined Argentine Football
Messi’s farewell brought an extraordinary international journey to a close.
The forward made his senior debut for Argentina in 2005 and went on to become the country’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, with 126 goals in 208 appearances.
His international achievements include the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Winning the World Cup in Qatar was particularly significant after years of disappointment in major international tournaments. Messi captained Argentina to victory over France in a dramatic final, finally securing the biggest prize in football.
That triumph helped cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
His farewell against Benin provided a fitting final performance, as he contributed to all three goals in Argentina’s victory before sharing an emotional moment with his teammates and supporters.
Messi Continues His Career at Inter Miami
Although his international career has ended, Messi will continue playing at club level with Inter Miami.
His departure from Argentina leaves a significant gap in the national team, both as a leader and as the player who has carried the country’s attacking ambitions for much of the past two decades.
For Fernández and the next generation of Argentine stars, the responsibility now turns towards building on the foundation established during Messi’s time with the national team.
The farewell also offered a reminder of the personal relationships behind Argentina’s success. Beyond the trophies, records and memorable goals, Messi’s influence can be seen in the players who grew up idolising him and later had the privilege of sharing the pitch with him.
As Fernández wiped away his tears and Messi delivered his final words to the crowd, the emotion inside the Monumental reflected the end of an era.
For Argentina, it was a night to celebrate a legendary career, honour an iconic captain and begin preparing for a future without their No. 10.
Esther Afriyie Kumah is the Digital Media & Operations Manager and a writer at AL Media Sports of AL Media Group. She specializes in sports journalism, covering Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, and African football with in-depth match reports, tactical analysis, player ratings, and expert insights.