Messi Farewell Closes a Long, Hard-Won Love Story with Argentina
The farewell ends a two-decade international career that brought two Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup under Lionel Scaloni.
- On Tuesday, Lionel Messi makes his final international appearance for Argentina against Benin at Buenos Aires' Monumental stadium, ending a two-decade career that began with the Argentine Football Association barely knowing his name.
- Argentine Football Association employee Omar Souto tracked the family through a Rosario telephone directory, yet confusion persisted—the AFA sent Barcelona a fax asking about a player called 'Mecci,' believing he might be Italian, Sergio Levinsky noted.
- At the Under-20 World Cup, Messi faced resistance for playing in Spain; teammate Cesc Fabregas told Argentine delegates, 'You lost to us because we've got your best player at Barcelona and he's a genius.'
- Under Lionel Scaloni, Messi guided Argentina to two Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup, evolving into an outspoken captain whom Sergio Levinsky compared to Diego Maradona as 'geniuses in different eras.'
- Author Sergio Levinsky, who wrote 'Messi and Everything Else,' observed that the icon 'truly endured' early suffering with the national team before becoming the undisputed leader of a new generation, marking a transformative arc.
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14 Articles
On the 7th of this month, Argentina's elected candidate meets with his Benin in a match that will be an official honor and farewell station for the Argentine legend Lionel Messie.
Messi's rocky road to becoming Argentina's greatest hero
Lionel Messi's final appearance for Argentina marks the end of a two-decade international career. Initially unknown to Argentine football authorities and facing skepticism, Messi's bond with his home country strengthened over time, culminating in World Cup glory. This retrospective explores his challenging journey from a Barcelona prodigy to an undisputed national icon.
Soccer-Messi farewell closes a long, hard-won love story with Argentina
Oct 4 (Reuters) - When Lionel Messi makes his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday, it will bring to an end a journey that began with the country's football authorities not even knowing his name and evolved into one of the most enduring relationships in sporting history.
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PressNewsAgencyMessi farewell closes a long, hard-won love story with Argentina
Oct 4 : When Lionel Messi makes his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday, it will bring to an end a journey that began with the country's football authorities not even knowing his name and evolved into one of the most enduring relationships in sporting history.The farewell against Benin at Buenos Aires'
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