Lionel Messi has sent a heartfelt farewell message to Angel Di Maria who announced his retirement from international football, receiving a moving tribute at the Estadio Mâs Monumental ahead of Argentina’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chile.
Messi congratulated Di Maria on his remarkable international career in an emotional tribute film, which concluded with a touching note that brought tears to the Benfica winger’s eyes.
Di Maria called time on his 16-year international career on July 15, after La Albiceleste victory in Copa America 2024.
The former Real Madrid winger had hinted about his retirement prior to the recently-concluded Copa America tournament. Messi had expressed his wish to see his longtime friend cap his retirement with a goal in the final against Colombia.
However, Messi did not see his wish fulfilled, as the only goal was scored by substitute Lautaro Martinez.
Lionel Messi’s farewell message to Di Maria
According to Fabrizio Romano on X, Lionel Messi, while paying tribute to Di Maria, said,
“I hope you enjoy this evening a lot with your family and loved ones”. “We’ve said everything we needed to say”. “We shared so much, and who would have thought it would end this way? We’ll miss you a lot. See you soon”.
Throughout four World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022), the 36-year-old winger made a substantial impact for Argentina. He was a key member of the squad that advanced to the Brazil World Cup final in 2014 and won the tournament in Qatar in 2022.
Di Maria, has a knack for scoring crucial goals, having scored in La Albiceleste’s last two major tournament finals—the 2022 World Cup final and the only goal in the final of the last edition of Copa America, which helped Argentina secure their first major trophy since 2001.
