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Back in 2016, Diego Maradona, Argentina's greatest player before another left-footed genius emerged, was caught on a hot mic speaking to his Brazilian rival Pelé about Lionel Messi.
"Sure, he's a decent person, but he lacks personality," Maradona remarked dismissively. "He doesn't have what it takes to be a leader."
Just weeks later, Messi would step away from the national team in tears, without a major trophy to show for it. A decade on, it was another emotional goodbye — but the timid boy who once cowered in Maradona's shadow had evolved into a leader his entire nation would follow anywhere.
Messi took the microphone and seemed reluctant to put it down, addressing a wide range of topics in a heartfelt farewell speech that signaled the close of an era and the culmination of his international journey.
Debunking the World Cup Conspiracy Theory
Argentina's path to this summer's World Cup final was turbulent, contentious, and mired in controversy. Rivals protested certain refereeing calls that appeared to favor the defending champions, while some in South America spun theories that the title had been stolen through underhanded means.
"Stay calm, guys. Just focus on the game," Messi was overheard telling his teammates in the tunnel ahead of the World Cup final against Spain. "Forget about everything else, alright? Just think about playing, come on."
Scaloni had brushed off the faint hints of controversy at the time, and Messi was eager to clarify that Argentina's subdued performance came down to nothing more than exhaustion.
"We dreamed of being world champions again; we came so close, and the truth is nothing suspicious happened," he stated from the center of River Plate's pitch at the Monumental. "We gave absolutely everything; the match against England drained us physically and emotionally. The reality is we were running on empty.
"We fought the way we always have — the way we always did in this shirt — alongside every teammate I shared the field with. Know that every single one of them gave everything they had for this jersey."
'Tough Times'—Messi's Worrying Prediction for Argentina Future
This was an evening for reflection and anticipation — unfortunately for Benin, almost no one had their mind on the actual match. Still, when Messi turned his thoughts to what lay ahead for Argentina without him, his outlook wasn't entirely hopeful.
"Difficult times will certainly come," he cautioned, "because what we accomplished during this period is far from ordinary."
Any squad is bound to struggle when its driving force is removed, as Argentina has experienced in the past.
Between 1986 and 1993, an Argentina side led by Diego Maradona claimed the World Cup and two Copa América titles, while also reaching a World Cup final. It was seven years of major tournament success — though the periods in between were rarely as impressive — yet it would take 11 years for the country to even advance beyond the quarterfinals after that golden era ended.
Messi's 'Happiest' and 'Saddest' Days in the Same Stadium
Unparalleled. pic.twitter.com/1794pa03Wm
Messi was made an honorary member of River Plate ahead of Tuesday's farewell at the Buenos Aires club's ground. More than 25 years prior, River had passed on Messi despite him netting 12 goals during his trial. That rejection sent the slight teenager overseas, but two of his most cherished moments in Argentina's colors would bring him back to the Monumental.
"It was here that I experienced one of the happiest moments of my career: when we played again after winning the World Cup," Messi shared. "I will never forget what I felt that day. It was magical. Even now, watching videos of it moves me to tears. That day will be etched in history — for me, for all of them, and for my family... It was extraordinary; thank you so much.
"Being back here today, I'm likely facing the saddest day of my career, because this is where I say farewell to the national team and to all of you.
Messi's New Role for Argentina
Now that his playing days with the national team are over, Messi will take up the role of a supporter. "I'll miss wearing Argentina's colors, but now I'll be on the other side — right there with all of you — cheering these guys on and supporting whatever comes next," he said with a smile. "Always together."
The devoted fanbase Messi will now be joining received warm praise from the departing captain. "I was fortunate enough to travel throughout the country and always felt so much love," he said warmly.
"I am truly grateful for everything I've lived through. I'm thankful for all this time — wherever I went, the stadiums were full, regardless of the occasion: the World Cup, the Copa América... You were everywhere, making enormous sacrifices — because we know how hard it is — yet we always felt like the home side, no matter where we were. We genuinely felt that support."
'I Don't Want to Leave'
Messi once spent a sleepless night pacing his hotel room rehearsing his first team talk as Argentina captain. That was behind closed locker room doors. On Tuesday, Messi had a captivated crowd of 85,000 hanging on his every word — and there were plenty of them, which even caught him off guard.
"Honestly, I'm talking more than I ever have," he laughed. Rather than newfound confidence, it was a stalling tactic. "I don't want to leave, I don't want to walk off this pitch," he confessed. "I just want to tell you that I love you, I'm going to miss you, and I'm grateful to God that we are Argentine — proud to be Argentine and to have fulfilled my dreams alongside all of you.
"Thank you so much; I love you."