Messi’s Argentina Chapter Comes to an End

Perhaps every farewell feels like this. Everything remains the same, but the person is no longer there as before. The field remains, the stands remain, thousands of fans remain, and the familiar blue-and-white jerseys remain. Then, suddenly, it feels that this scene will never be seen again.

Buenos Aires had such a night. Lionel Messi made his final appearance for Argentina in the match against Benin on Tuesday night, Bangladesh time. Standing on his farewell stage, Mr. Messi seemed to say one last time that he was leaving, but his football would remain.

Argentina won the match 3-0, and Mr. Messi was involved in every goal. He scored one himself and provided the assists for the other two. There could hardly have been a more fitting script for his farewell match. The man who had been the heart of Argentina’s attack for years remained the biggest story of the team until his final appearance.

Mr. Messi’s journey with Argentina began in 2005, when he was only a teenage talent. His career in the national jersey started with dreams, expectations and uncertainty. More than two decades have passed since then. Mr. Messi has witnessed countless matches, goals, tears, disappointments and moments of joy.

His journey with the national team was never easy. He faced criticism after failures and suffered defeat in several major finals, including the Copa America and World Cup finals. For a period, his story with Argentina seemed to be defined by disappointment.

But Mr. Messi never stopped. He returned again and again, stepped onto the field and continued to dream. Eventually, those dreams brought him the Copa America title, the most desired trophy in football—the World Cup—and many other achievements. The World Cup that had once seemed beyond his reach finally ended up in his hands. It was as if years of waiting, countless tears and long-held frustration had finally found an answer in that one trophy.

Yet Mr. Messi’s story is not only about trophies. It is also the story of the emotional bond between a footballer and millions of people around the world. Many people were never from Argentina, but they came to love the blue-and-white jersey because of Mr. Messi. They celebrated his goals and felt heartbroken when he lost.

For millions of fans in Bangladesh, Mr. Messi is more than a footballer. His name is connected to childhood, teenage years, staying awake late at night to watch matches and the excitement of supporting a beloved team.
His final match against Benin was therefore more than just another international game. It marked the end of an era. When Mr. Messi left the field for the final time, many fans may have remembered the young player from his first appearance. They may have seen again his old goals, dribbles, free-kicks, tears, celebrations and unforgettable moments holding trophies.

With Mr. Messi’s departure, Argentina’s jersey will no longer feature the magic of his left foot. Fans may no longer sit in the stands waiting for the moment when Mr. Messi receives the ball and changes the course of a match in an instant.

But the farewell of a legend is never a complete goodbye. People leave, but their stories remain. Mr. Messi will remain in the goals he scored, the trophies he won and the records he set. More importantly, he will remain in the hearts of millions of people.

One goal, two assists and a 3-0 victory—Mr. Messi made his farewell a fitting reflection of himself. Perhaps it was the most beautiful farewell he could have received. Mr. Messi has left the field, but he has not left football. No one can take him away from the love of the people.