‘Grateful, proud and at peace’ – emotional Messi plays final Argentina game

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Oct 7 – Lionel Messi says he is “grateful, proud and at peace” after his glittering Argentina career ended with a goal against Benin on an emotional night in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old, playing his 208th and final international game, converted a second-half penalty and registered two assists in a comfortable 3-0 friendly win. Messi, who announced his international retirement in August, was playing his first game for Argentina since the death of his father, Jorge, aged 68 following a long illness. After the match he addressed the crowd with a speech spanning nearl...

The 39-year-old, playing his 208th and final international game, converted a second-half penalty and registered two assists in a comfortable 3-0 friendly win.

Messi, who announced his international retirement in August, was playing his first game for Argentina since the death of his father, Jorge, aged 68 following a long illness.

After the match he addressed the crowd with a speech spanning nearly 10 minutes, with some of his team-mates – including Manchester City’s Enzo Fernandez – in tears as Messi admitted he did not want to leave the field.

“There are so many emotions going through me right now,” he said. “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 leave grateful, proud and at peace. Thank you for everything.”

Source: Capital FM Sports