{
  "id": 12562163,
  "title": "Teammates and fans bid emotional farewell to Messi ahead of Argentina finale",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/teammates-and-fans-bid-emotional-farewell-to-messi-ahead-of-argentina",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-07T05:41:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40443074/teammates-and-fans-bid-emotional-farewell-to-messi-ahead-of-argentina-finale"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As Argentina prepared to say their final goodbyes to their beloved captain Lionel Messi, tributes poured in from teammates and fans alike. Former and current teammates, along with tearful supporters outside the Monumental stadium, expressed their gratitude for the Argentine legend's immense contributions to football.\n\nBarcelona and Paris St Germain teammate Neymar highlighted the global appreciation for Messi's impact on the sport. \"It's not only Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you have done for football,\" Neymar wrote on Instagram.\n\nRodrigo De Paul, a close friend and Argentina teammate at Inter Miami, shared how Messi had helped him grow both as a footballer and as a person. \"He made me grow not only as a footballer, but also as a person. I became a better person, a better human being, a better athlete, a better father and a better friend,\" De Paul expressed in a farewell message.\n\nArgentina teammate Angel Di Maria acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the occasion. \"Seeing him with so much happiness, and that tranquillity of knowing that he gave everything he had, is what makes us all happy,\" Di Maria said. \"It will be a very special day for everyone. I thank him for life.\"\n\nFans in Buenos Aires filled the Monumental stadium to witness Messi's final game against Benin. Some cried with happiness at the opportunity to see their hero one last time, while others expressed sadness at the imminent end of his illustrious career. For 19-year-old Jose Garracedo, it was a bittersweet moment: \"I cried because I was able to come and see Messi in his last game, and also because of the sadness of knowing that he won't be here anymore.\"\n\nFor 27-year-old medical student Isaias Zenas, Messi's influence transcended football. \"The last joys we have had as an Argentine people, we owe to him,\" Zenas remarked. \"All the cups he brought us, with the country in a bad economic situation, people who are struggling have their refuge in football. How could we not come here at this moment to say goodbye to him?\"\n\nMessi, with a national-record 125 goals and 68 assists for his country, entered the game with a record-setting 208 appearances for Argentina. Before his final match, he left a simple message: \"I leave in peace. I gave everything.\"",
  "summary": "From former and current team mates to tearful fans outside the Monumental stadium, tributes poured in for Argentine great Lionel Messi on Tuesday as the country prepared to bid farewell to their captain in his final international appearance. Brazil’s Neymar, Messi’s former Barcelona and Paris St Germain teammate and longtime friend, said the whole world should be grateful for what the Argentine…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}