LIONEL MESSI has penned a poignant farewell message to fans ahead of his Argentina swansong.
, arguably and ‘s greatest ever player following 21 years of service, is calling time on his international career TONIGHT with their clash against Benin.
While the atmosphere saying goodbye to Messi, someone who is effectively seen as a god in his homeland, is sure to be emotional, the 39-year-old has previewed it with a video message to fans on social media.
A video shared by showed some highlights of Messi’s most magical moments since he started his career with the national team in 2005.
At the start of the video Messi is seen wearing his national team colours while standing in front of an Argentina flag and staring into the camera.
As music starts playing in the background, the video cuts to a highlight reel with a voiceover from the Little Magician.
He says: “The moment has arrived. I leave in peace. I gave it my all. This jersey was my dream. My pride. And my life.
“Thank you for loving me so much. I will always carry you with me.”
In just three hours after it was posted it was liked 1.8 million times.
Messi finally won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, while he also added two titles in 2021 and 2024.
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The eight-time winner hangs up his Argentina boots with 125 goals to his name in 207 caps – a national record in both.
His presence is sure to be missed by the squad, and goalkeeper was one of the players in the team to arrange a special barbecue as the curtain comes down at ‘s Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The game starts at 8pm local time, or midnight in the UK, and will be broadcast on .
