Tuesday, October 6, 2026
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A sad day, but also a happy one: Argentina teammates brace for Messi’s farewell

A sad day, but also a happy one: Argentina teammates brace for Messi’s farewell
Lionel Messi

The Argentina camp in Buenos Aires is preparing for an emotional night as Lionel Messi gets set to play his final match for the national team. The 39-year-old superstar is expected to make his farewell appearance against Benin at Monumental at 5:00am Bangladesh time on Wednesday.

As the final game of Messi’s international career draws closer, his teammates are reflecting on years of memories, admiration and the difficult prospect of seeing their captain leave the national team.

Argentina are coming off a resounding 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso. Yet the emphatic win has taken a back seat as the squad prepares to bid farewell to one of the greatest players in football history.

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez said the team wants Messi to enjoy his final days with them.

We’ll have a barbecue together and enjoy these days with him. He deserves it. We want his farewell to be great so that he can truly enjoy it, Fernandez said.

For 22-year-old Santiago Castro, sharing a dressing room with Messi for the first time is a dream, although the occasion comes with mixed emotions.

“This is the first time I will meet Messi. I’ve never been in the same dressing room with him before. It’s very special. But there is also a bit of sadness... He is the one who made me fall in love with the ball and taught me to love the national team,” Castro said.

Right-back Agustin Giay also expects an emotional night.

“It’s going to be a very special night, with a lot of emotion. It’s a sad day, but also a happy one because he is able to say goodbye like this,” he said.

Midfielder Gianluca Prestianni, who grew up watching Messi, believes his departure will leave a huge void in the national team.

“I grew up watching him. Being there for his farewell will be wonderful, but also very sad. And the fact that he won’t be with the national team anymore—it’s going to be a huge void,” Prestianni said.

For 23-year-old forward Matias Soule, Messi’s farewell is equally bittersweet.

He is an idol for the whole world and a hero of the Argentina national team. It’s sad for me, but at the same time it’s something wonderful, Soule said.

Messi’s close friend and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez struggled to contain his emotions while speaking about the farewell, even wiping his eyes.

We’ll try to make sure he enjoys it as much as possible. We’ll shower him with love and kisses. We’ll do everything we can so that he can leave happy, Martinez said.

Messi has given Argentina countless goals, records and trophies during his long international career. But as he prepares to walk away from the national team, his teammates appear to want just one thing from their captain—one final night of happiness and, perhaps, that familiar shy smile.

There may be tears before the night is over. But for Messi, a little emotion shared with teammates who have been part of his extraordinary journey may be the most fitting way to say goodbye.

Topic : Argentina Lionel Messi Messi farewell International football Enzo Fernandez

Daily Asiagram

Tuesday, October 6, 2026


A sad day, but also a happy one: Argentina teammates brace for Messi’s farewell

Published Date : October 6, 2026

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The Argentina camp in Buenos Aires is preparing for an emotional night as Lionel Messi gets set to play his final match for the national team. The 39-year-old superstar is expected to make his farewell appearance against Benin at Monumental at 5:00am Bangladesh time on Wednesday.As the final game of Messi’s international career draws closer, his teammates are reflecting on years of memories, admiration and the difficult prospect of seeing their captain leave the national team.Argentina are coming off a resounding 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso. Yet the emphatic win has taken a back seat as the squad prepares to bid farewell to one of the greatest players in football history.Midfielder Enzo Fernandez said the team wants Messi to enjoy his final days with them.We’ll have a barbecue together and enjoy these days with him. He deserves it. We want his farewell to be great so that he can truly enjoy it, Fernandez said.For 22-year-old Santiago Castro, sharing a dressing room with Messi for the first time is a dream, although the occasion comes with mixed emotions.“This is the first time I will meet Messi. I’ve never been in the same dressing room with him before. It’s very special. But there is also a bit of sadness... He is the one who made me fall in love with the ball and taught me to love the national team,” Castro said.Right-back Agustin Giay also expects an emotional night.“It’s going to be a very special night, with a lot of emotion. It’s a sad day, but also a happy one because he is able to say goodbye like this,” he said.Midfielder Gianluca Prestianni, who grew up watching Messi, believes his departure will leave a huge void in the national team.“I grew up watching him. Being there for his farewell will be wonderful, but also very sad. And the fact that he won’t be with the national team anymore—it’s going to be a huge void,” Prestianni said.For 23-year-old forward Matias Soule, Messi’s farewell is equally bittersweet.He is an idol for the whole world and a hero of the Argentina national team. It’s sad for me, but at the same time it’s something wonderful, Soule said.Messi’s close friend and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez struggled to contain his emotions while speaking about the farewell, even wiping his eyes.We’ll try to make sure he enjoys it as much as possible. We’ll shower him with love and kisses. We’ll do everything we can so that he can leave happy, Martinez said.Messi has given Argentina countless goals, records and trophies during his long international career. But as he prepares to walk away from the national team, his teammates appear to want just one thing from their captain—one final night of happiness and, perhaps, that familiar shy smile.There may be tears before the night is over. But for Messi, a little emotion shared with teammates who have been part of his extraordinary journey may be the most fitting way to say goodbye.

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A sad day, but also a happy one: Argentina teammates brace for Messi’s farewell
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