Messi bids farewell to Argentina, calling it perhaps the saddest day of his career

“Perhaps the saddest day of my career”: Lionel Messi used those words to describe his farewell to the Argentina national team and its supporters. The Albiceleste captain reflected on more than 20 years representing his country, while acknowledging how hard it would be to close this chapter.

In his speech, Messi said his first thoughts were of his father. He also thanked his teammates and the fans, and recalled the pride he felt in representing Argentina. “It was a huge source of pride to defend this shirt for more than 20 years,” he said. He added that he had never stopped fighting or giving his all, even through the most difficult times.

His departure does not mean his attachment to the national team has faded. Messi said he would have liked to keep coming for the rest of his life and that playing for Argentina was, in his view, “the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.” But he feels the time has come to say goodbye. “Not coming will be a very great pain,” he acknowledged.

The emotion remains strong when he looks back on that journey: “Today I watch the videos and get emotional,” he said. He summed up the moment as “perhaps the saddest day” of his career, giving his farewell a significance beyond the end of a speech.