Lionel Messi has paid tribute to Argentina football legend Diego Maradona and his late father, Jorge Messi, following his final appearance for the national team.
Messi, 39, reflected on his 21-year international career in an emotional Instagram post after Argentina defeated Benin 3–0 in Buenos Aires.
The veteran forward said he would not forget Maradona, who he credited with helping Argentina reach its rightful place in world football. Messi also said he believed Maradona continued to support the team “from heaven.”
Messi also remembered his father, who died in August at the age of 68. During his farewell at the Monumental Stadium, Messi said his first thought amid the emotions of the occasion was of his father.
He later shared a photograph of himself in the Argentina shirt looking towards the sky, accompanied by a heartfelt message expressing how much the family missed him.
Messi scored once and provided two assists in Argentina’s 3–0 victory over Benin, bringing his international career to an emotional close after 208 appearances for his country.
