Lionel Messi has paid heartfelt tribute to Argentina legend Diego Maradona and his late father, Jorge Messi, following what could be his final appearance for the national team.
The 39-year-old reflected on the emotional occasion in an Instagram post, admitting that he already missed wearing Argentina’s famous sky-blue-and-white jersey but remained convinced that he had made the right decision.
Messi described his international career as an “incredible journey” filled with unforgettable highs and difficult moments, insisting that every part of the experience had been worthwhile.
The Argentina captain also remembered Maradona, one of the most iconic figures in the country’s football history.
“I don’t want to forget Diego, who put our country where it deserved to be,” Messi said, adding that he believed the late legend had continued to support Argentina from heaven.
He also dedicated a deeply personal tribute to his father, who died on August 8, 2026, aged 68, following a long illness.
Sharing a photograph of himself in the Argentina shirt looking towards the sky, Messi wrote: “You don’t know how much we missed you last night…”
Messi had previously mentioned his father during his emotional farewell after Argentina’s victory over Benin, saying his first thought during the celebrations was of “mi viejo.”
The legendary forward scored a penalty and provided two assists as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 at the Monumental Stadium before more than 85,000 fans.
The match was Messi’s 208th appearance for Argentina, further cementing his status as the country’s most-capped player and leading scorer.
His reported farewell brings an emotional chapter of a remarkable 21-year international career to a close.
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