Lionel Messi’s final appearance at the Estadio Monumental ended with a goal, two assists and a 3-0 victory for Argentina against Benin, but the emotional farewell continued long after the final whistle as clubs across the country paid tribute to the captain.
With tears in his eyes, Messi said: “I don’t want to leave here.” His words prompted a wave of messages from Argentine clubs, with rivals and former clubs putting aside their differences to celebrate his contribution to the national team.
Newell’s Old Boys, where Messi’s football journey began, posted two photographs. One showed him as a child wearing the club’s shirt, while the other pictured him as a world champion with Argentina.
“Leo, you made the boy from Malvinas very happy. Thank you,” the club wrote in a message shared on 6 October.
River Plate chose a brief tribute alongside an image of the trophies Messi has won with Argentina.
“Forever, thank you, captain,” it posted on 7 October.
Boca Juniors, River’s traditional rivals, also joined the tributes, underlining Messi’s place above club loyalties.
“Thank you always, captain,” Boca wrote.
San Lorenzo offered a longer message, thanking Messi for his football, his commitment to the national shirt and the happiness he had brought to supporters.
“Thank you for football. For your love of the shirt. For the joy. For always trying again. And for being Argentine,” the club said.
Independiente described Messi’s career in similarly affectionate terms, writing: “A beautiful love story. Thank you, truly. You left no dream unfulfilled.”
The most extensive tribute came from Huracan, which described the emotions generated by Messi’s career and the unity he had created around the national side.
“We are eternally grateful, captain, for every joy, for every tear, and for making us embrace as we never had before,” the club wrote. “For raising our flag to the highest point and fulfilling the dream of an entire country.
“Words cannot express our gratitude. Your magic and everything you gave us in terms of emotion will remain engraved in our hearts forever. Thank you for everything, Lionel Andres Messi.”
The tributes also came from clubs beyond Argentina’s biggest names. Barracas Central thanked Messi for the joy he had brought, for taking the national flag to the top and for permanently shaping the history of Argentine football.
Defensa y Justicia simply wrote: “Thank you for everything, Leo!”
Tigre recalled Messi’s own words about Argentina’s shirt: “This shirt was my dream, my pride and my life.”
Barracas Central, Defensa y Justicia and Tigre all posted their messages on 7 October, joining the national farewell to a player whose final Monumental appearance became more than a goodbye from the supporters.
Argentina was bidding farewell not merely to its number 10, but to the figure who had embodied the dreams of several generations.
