Messi’s Argentina farewell prompts heartfelt message from Lautaro Martinez

Lautaro Martinez has thanked Lionel Messi for allowing Argentina’s players to share in his historic career after the Inter Milan and Argentina striker’s international team-mate announced his retirement from international football.

Martinez, who also plays for Inter Milan, addressed Messi in a message published on his Instagram account after the announcement by the Inter Miami forward.

“From the first hug to the last… Leo, I do not know if there are enough words to thank you for everything you have done for us,” Martinez wrote.

“Beyond everything you achieved on the pitch, I will keep everything you taught us away from it: never to give up, to keep trying after every setback, to work in silence and, above all, always to believe in ourselves.”

Martinez said Messi’s influence on Argentina had extended well beyond his goals, assists and trophies.

“Your leadership was not limited to goals, assists or titles. It was also reflected in the example you gave us throughout all these years representing our national team,” he added.

Messi’s decision to retire from international football was announced in a formal statement posted on his own Instagram account. The Inter Miami player said he had reached the decision after a long period of reflection following the final.

“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it for a long time, I want to announce to everyone that I have decided to retire from playing for the national team,” Messi wrote.

“It was a painful decision and it still hurts me deeply, but I realise that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave everything I had, not only during the last few years when we achieved everything, but before that as well.”

Messi added that he had consistently fought and given everything for the Argentina shirt, with the aim of making supporters happy and proud to be Argentine through football.

Martinez, meanwhile, said the impact of playing alongside Messi would remain with him and the rest of the squad for the rest of their lives.

“You left me, and all our team-mates, with much more than memories. You left us lessons that we will carry with us throughout our lives,” he wrote.

“Thank you for every piece of advice, every conversation, every training session, every hug and every moment we shared together. Thank you for making history with us, and for allowing us to be part of your history.”

The forward concluded his message by acknowledging the significance of Messi’s leadership to Argentina’s players.

“We will miss you very much, captain. We will remain eternally grateful that we were able to share this journey with you. Thank you for everything, captain!!!!” Martinez wrote.