Messi: "It hurts me, I don't want to say goodbye to the national team"

Messi: “It hurts me, I don’t want to say goodbye to the national team

According to Vnexpress.

Context

Lionel Messi, Argentina captain and Inter Miami star, has retired from the national team after more than two decades. His emotional farewell was the culmination of a long and successful journey that has left a significant mark on the history of football and inspired millions of fans around the world.

Why is this important

Lionel Messi's emotional farewell to the Argentina national team underlines his outstanding contribution to football and the importance he attaches to his career. More than 20 years spent in the national team made him a symbol not only for Argentina, but also for the entire football world. His words about the pride and challenges the team faced resonate with fans and highlight the importance of national identity in sport.

Key takeaways

• Messi: “It hurts me, I don’t want to say goodbye to the national team.”
• Lionel Messi made an emotional address to fans after his final match for Argentina, admitting that it was very difficult for him to say goodbye to the team he represented for more than 20 years.
• Messi: 'Tôi đau đớn, không muốn chia tay đội tuyển'.

Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentina national team, admitted that it is incredibly difficult for him to say goodbye to the national team. In an emotional speech after the match against Benin on October 6 at the Monaumental Stadium, Messi addressed thousands of fans, sharing his feelings and reflections on his career with the national team. “It’s difficult to talk today,” he began. “There are a lot of thoughts in my head, and the first thing I think about is my father.”

Messi also stressed how proud he is to have played for the national team for over 20 years and that he never gave up, even in the most difficult times. "I'm incredibly proud to have worn this jersey for over 20 years. Even in the toughest moments, I never stopped fighting and trying."

The most emotional thing for Messi was the realization that he would not be able to return to the national team as a player. "Not coming back would be a huge pain. I swear I want to be here all my life because playing for Argentina is the best thing for me," added the striker, who currently plays for Inter Miami.

He noted that the decision to retire from the national team came after a tense World Cup, in which Argentina was almost able to defend its title. “The 2026 World Cup brought a lot of emotions. We dreamed of becoming world champions again, we were so close, but in the end it didn’t happen,” he admitted.

Messi recalled the team's difficulties leading up to the World Cup, citing the semi-final match against England that wore the team down heading into the final. Argentina beat England 2-1 but were then defeated by Spain in the final, narrowly 0-1 after extra time. Despite this, he stressed that his teammates always fought to the end for Argentina.

Messi expressed gratitude to his teammates with whom he shared all his achievements. He mentioned the victories in the World Cup, Copa America and Finalissimo, which were the culmination of a long journey for this generation of footballers. "I'm proud that I was able to share all this with my brothers, both on and off the field," he said.

Among the memories that touch him most was his first trip back to Argentina after winning the 2022 World Cup, where the team celebrated with the fans. “Today, having returned here, I am perhaps experiencing the saddest day of my career, because here I say goodbye to the national team and to you,” he added.

Messi promised to continue to support the national team from the stands and urged fans to stay with the team, especially in difficult times. "Argentina's strength is unity," he said, recalling how the team overcame 28 years without a trophy to win the Copa America in 2021 and the other successes that followed.At the end of his speech, Messi again expressed his feelings, thanking the fans for their support and the pride of being part of the national team and the people of Argentina. In the last match, he took part in each of his team's three goals: from a corner, he helped Otamendi open the scoring, then assisted Paz for the second goal and scored himself from the penalty spot. It was his 126th goal mark and 69th assist for the national team. After this match, he will return to playing for Inter Miami, whose contract expires at the end of 2028.

What happens next

After his national team career, Messi will continue to play for Inter Miami in MLS, where his experience and skill will be important for the development of football in the United States. His presence in MLS football is expected to bring more attention to the league and inspire a younger generation of players. Additionally, his departure from the national team could open up new opportunities for other talented players on the team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Messi after the match with Benin?

Lionel Messi admitted that it was difficult for him to say goodbye to the national team and shared his feelings after the match.

Who confirmed that Messi is retiring from the national team?

Lionel Messi himself confirmed this in his emotional speech.

Why did Messi decide to end his national team career now?

He noted that the decision came after a tense World Cup, where Argentina almost defended its title.

What changes have occurred in Messi's career?

Messi said that he would not be able to return to the national team as a player.

How long did Messi play for Argentina?

He is proud to have played for the national team for over 20 years.

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