Lionel Messi says goodbye in a final football match
The Argentina national football team recently bid farewell to one of its greatest players in history, Lionel Messi. At 39 years old, the Inter Miami star forward played his 208th and absolute final match for the Albiceleste against the Benin national team. During this emotional fixture played at the Monumental stadium, the legendary captain delivered a final masterclass in football. He led his country to a 3-0 victory by scoring his 126th international goal and providing two crucial assists to his teammates.
Three notable absences at the Monumental stadium
While the celebrations in Buenos Aires were massive, the Spanish media outlet AS highlighted three surprising absences that caused widespread incomprehension among supporters. Three world champions from the victorious 2022 campaign in Qatar were notably missing from the party. Papu Gomez declined the invitation from the federation, preferring instead to work as a television commentator for a Kuwaiti broadcast channel during the event.
Selection choices by Lionel Scaloni spark debate
In addition to Papu Gomez, the head coach Lionel Scaloni made strong decisions regarding the River Plate defenders Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel. Montiel, who famously scored the decisive penalty kick in the World Cup final against France, was completely left out of the squad. Similarly, his club teammate Marcos Acuna did not receive a call-up for this historic tribute. These technical omissions by Scaloni generated significant controversy and heated debate throughout Argentina following the match.
Next deadline for the Albiceleste
Following this emotional farewell to their iconic number 10, the Argentina national football team will now turn its full attention toward future international qualifiers and upcoming friendlies as they prepare for the next era of South American football without their legendary captain.
Photo : Bryan Berlin — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
