By Zoila Palma: Argentina said farewell to Lionel Messi on Tuesday as the 39-year-old football superstar played his final match for the national team, bringing an extraordinary 21-year international career to a close.
Messi scored from the penalty spot and assisted Argentina’s other two goals in a 3-0 friendly victory over Benin, turning what would have been a routine match into an emotional national farewell.
Messi leaves international football with 126 goals, two Copa América titles and a World Cup championship, having played 208 matches for Argentina.
The Argentine Football Association turned the game into a celebration dubbed “the last tango,” with more than 85,000 fans filling Buenos Aires’ largest stadium.
Former members of Argentina’s 1978, 1986 and 2022 World Cup-winning teams were also present to honor the country’s iconic No. 10.
For much of his career, Messi faced intense scrutiny from Argentine fans, particularly before winning major international titles. Some questioned his commitment to Argentina and compared him unfavorably with Diego Maradona.
However, his 2021 Copa América triumph and Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar transformed public sentiment, cementing Messi’s status as one of the country’s greatest sporting heroes. “Winning clearly disarmed his critics,” sports sociologist Diego Murzi said.
The post International News: Messi bids Farewell to Argentina as Legendary International career comes to an end appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Argentina said farewell to Lionel Messi on Tuesday as the 39-year-old football superstar played his final match for the national team, bringing an extraordinary 21-year international career to a close. Messi scored from the penalty spot and assisted Argentina’s other two goals in a 3-0 friendly victory over Benin, turning what would
The post International News: Messi bids Farewell to Argentina as Legendary International career comes to an end appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
