Tributes have continued to pour in for Lionel Messi after he ended his Argentina career in style in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires.
Brazil star Neymar, who played with Messi at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, led the tributes with an emotional message on Instagram ahead of the friendly at the Estadio Monumental.
Neymar wrote, “Anyone who loves football has enjoyed you throughout all these years. Today is your final game wearing the shirt of your national team, your country, and I hope you enjoy every second of it.
“It’s not only Argentina that thanks you, the whole world thanks you for everything you’ve done for football. Thank you for making me love football even more. It was an honour to have played against you and even more so to have made history alongside you.”
Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, who faced Messi at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, also hailed the Argentine for his longevity and influence on the game.
“Messi is the greatest of our time. Playing against him twice at the World Cup was a lesson in football. He deserves this farewell in Argentina,” Onazi said.
Nigerian legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha described Messi as a player who gave joy to everyone who loves football, saying his retirement leaves a huge gap in international football.
Messi, 39, captained Argentina for the 208th and final time, scoring a penalty and providing two assists for Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz. The match was paused in the 10th minute for a standing ovation, with fireworks and a giant “Gracias 10” shirt displayed before kickoff.
He retires as Argentina’s record goalscorer with 126 goals and most-capped player, having won the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
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