BUENOS AIRES - Lionel Messi bid farewell to Argentina in an emotional exhibition match against Panama Tuesday night, shedding tears during warmups and receiving a thunderous ovation from 85,000 fans at the Monumental Stadium. The 2022 World Cup champion played 78 minutes in the 2-0 victory, his first match on Argentinian soil since leading the Albiceleste to their historic title in Qatar.Messi’s departure marks the end of an era for argentinian football, leaving a void for fans who have witnessed his rise from an 18-year-old World Cup debutant in 2006 to a national icon. He retires as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 114 goals in 194 international appearances. The match served as a celebration of his career and a chance for Argentinian supporters to express their gratitude to the player who finaly delivered the nation its third World Cup trophy.
“For many years I experienced the affection of Barcelona, and my dream was to experience them here in my country with my compatriots,” messi said, reflecting on his career. “A lot was said for many years, but I only keep in memory. And then we received the support at some point and it was wonderful.”
Fans displayed posters and pictures of Messi throughout the stadium, and the chants of “messi, messi” were deafening as he warmed up and during the match. tears were visible on his face even before kickoff, a testament to the emotional weight of the occasion.
