Lionel Messi’s farewell from the Argentina national team extended beyond the final moments surrounding his last appearance against Benin.
A large number of his teammates took to social media to share personal messages, photos and memories from their years playing alongside the Argentina captain.
The tributes ranged from short phrases to emotional reflections on Messi’s leadership, influence and relationship with different generations of Argentina players.
Emiliano Martinez Sends a Special Message to Messi
Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez shared a group photo featuring Messi alongside several Argentina stars, including Cristian Romero, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martinez and Alexis Mac Allister.
The goalkeeper wrote a brief but meaningful message, describing it as the final day with the group before adding that they would win and say goodbye to the best.
Martinez also added a personal touch before the match by appearing with a hairstyle featuring the letter M, a clear reference to Messi.
Otamendi: It Was an Honor to Be Part of Your Story
Nicolas Otamendi shared a photo with his teammates alongside an emotional message marking a special occasion for both him and Messi.
Otamendi reflected on the end of a major chapter of his life, while describing the match as a particularly significant moment because it marked the farewell of one of the greatest players in football history.
He also expressed his gratitude for having been part of Messi’s journey with Argentina, highlighting the close bond developed between the two players over the years.
Enzo Fernandez: Thank You Forever
Enzo Fernandez chose to share three photos with Messi, including moments from Argentina training camps.
His message was short but powerful: “Eternally GRACIAS”, or “Thank you forever.”
The tribute carried additional meaning because Fernandez had previously spoken about dreaming of playing alongside Messi when he was younger.
That dream eventually became reality, with Fernandez sharing the Argentina shirt with Messi and winning the World Cup alongside him.
Lautaro Martinez Remembers His Journey With Messi
Lautaro Martinez wrote one of the longest messages to Messi, looking back at their journey together with Argentina.
He expressed his belief that words could never be enough to thank Messi for everything he had done for the team and its players.
Lautaro emphasized that Messi gave them more than trophies and unforgettable memories. He also taught them to keep fighting, continue trying, work quietly and believe in themselves.
He concluded by saying that the team would miss Messi deeply and remain grateful for having shared the journey with their captain.
Lautaro also highlighted Messi’s role in supporting younger players through his leadership and commitment.
Mastantuono Uses a Song to Honor Messi
Franco Mastantuono chose a different way to express his admiration for Messi.
The young Argentina player shared a recent photo with Messi and added crown and number 10 symbols, reinforcing the special status of the Argentina captain.
He also used the song “Esta estrella era mi lujo”, creating a symbolic reference to Messi as one of the most important football stars for the new generation.
The tribute reflected the unique experience of young Argentina players who have had the opportunity to share the final chapters of Messi’s international career.
Giuliano Simeone Sends a Short Message
Giuliano Simeone shared photos with Messi and posted a short message meaning “Ready for tomorrow”, accompanied by symbols connected to the number 10.
His tribute represented the younger generation of Argentina players who were fortunate enough to play alongside Messi during the final stage of his international career.
De Paul: Messi Is My Brother
Rodrigo De Paul’s message was among the most emotional tributes, particularly because of the strong relationship between the two players.
De Paul explained that Messi helped him grow not only as a footballer, but also as a person, father and friend.
He then summed up their relationship with deeply personal words, saying that he loves Messi and considers him a brother while praising the Argentina captain’s character and generosity.
Neymar Joins the Farewell Tributes
The farewell messages were not limited to Argentina players.
Brazilian star Neymar also shared a tribute to Messi, posting a photo of the two together and emphasizing the global appreciation for what Messi has given to football.
Neymar explained that it was not only Argentina thanking Messi, but the football world as a whole.
He also reflected on Messi’s influence on his own love for football, describing it as an honor to play against him and an even greater experience to make history alongside him.
Other Argentina Stars Say Goodbye to Messi
Several other Argentina players also shared messages for Messi, including Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, Geronimo Rulli, Nicolas Paz and Angel Di Maria.
Their posts featured photos and memories from different stages of their time with Messi in the national team.
The tributes showed that Messi’s relationship with Argentina players went beyond football and trophies.
From teammates who shared the World Cup-winning generation to younger players who began their international careers alongside him, Messi built a personal connection with several generations of the national team.
What Did the Messages Reveal About Messi’s Relationship With Argentina Players?
The tributes showed that Messi’s influence within Argentina extended beyond his statistics and trophies.
His teammates highlighted his leadership, personal support and relationship with younger players, revealing a side of his international career that cannot be measured through numbers alone.
The farewell therefore became a moment filled with memories, gratitude and emotion, as Argentina players chose to write their own final chapter alongside the captain who shared some of the most important moments in the team’s history.
Why did Argentina players send special messages to Messi?
Because the match against Benin marked Messi’s final appearance for Argentina, prompting his teammates to express their gratitude and recall shared memories.
What did Emiliano Martinez say about Messi?
Martinez described Messi as the best and also appeared before the match with a hairstyle featuring the letter M as a tribute to him.
What did Lautaro Martinez write to Messi?
Lautaro reflected on their journey together and said Messi taught the players to keep fighting, work quietly and believe in themselves.
Did Neymar send Messi a farewell message?
Yes. Neymar praised Messi’s contribution to football and reflected on the honor of playing against him and making history alongside him.
Which players were among those who paid tribute to Messi?
Emiliano Martinez, Otamendi, Enzo Fernandez, Lautaro Martinez, De Paul, Mastantuono, Giuliano Simeone and Neymar were among those who shared tributes.
