Messi’s heartfelt message to Juan Musso captures Argentina farewell

Lionel Messi has left Argentina goalkeeper Juan Musso with a personal reminder of their time together, writing on his team-mate’s shirt that he will miss scoring against him and making him angry.

Messi wrote: “I will miss putting goals past you and seeing you get angry.”

Musso, who plays for Atletico de Madrid, shared a picture of the signed shirt on Instagram after Messi’s final appearance for Argentina. Alongside the image, he paid tribute to the captain with the words: “Thank you forever.”

He used the same message for fellow Argentina player Nicolas Otamendi, who was also called up for the farewell match.

Messi played his final game for Argentina against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. The friendly was organised by the Argentine Football Association as a special occasion to mark the end of the 39-year-old’s international career.

The former Barcelona star announced his retirement from international football on 31 August. Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia invited all of the players from the 2022 World Cup-winning squad to attend the farewell.

“We decided to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can receive the farewell he truly deserves,” Tapia said.

Before the match, Messi appeared in a video released by adidas, reflecting on the significance of representing Argentina.

“This shirt was my dream, my pride and my life,” he said.

Messi’s international career began with a friendly against Hungary on 17 August 2005 and lasted 21 years. During that time, he helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, and the 2022 Finalissima.

Musso’s message showed the lighter side of Messi’s relationship with his international team-mates. The goalkeeper’s photograph was also shared by TyC Sports on 7 October 2026, highlighting the inscription left by the Argentina captain as he brought his international career to a close.