‘Perhaps the saddest day of my career’ – Lionel Messi says emotional farewell to Argentina

An emotional Lionel Messi addressed a packed stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday night after playing his final ever game for Argentina.

The GOAT scored in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin and couldn't hold back the tears as he spoke about his sadness at playing in Argentina's colors for the final time in his incredible career.

"I'm going to miss playing here so much. I always received tremendous affection, from beginning to end. I'm so grateful for everything I experienced. I'm thankful for all this time: wherever I was, the stadium was packed, whatever the match. They were everywhere, making a huge effort, traveling to the World Cups," he said. "We always feel like the home team everywhere we go. In this place, I experienced one of the happiest moments of my life: playing here after winning the World Cup. To this day, I watch the videos and I get emotional. It was spectacular. Thank you so much."

"I'm going to miss playing here so much. I always received tremendous affection, from beginning to end. I'm so grateful for everything I experienced. I'm thankful for all this time: wherever I was, the stadium was packed, whatever the match. They were everywhere, making a huge effort, traveling to the World Cups," he said.

"We always feel like the home team everywhere we go. In this place, I experienced one of the happiest moments of my life: playing here after winning the World Cup. To this day, I watch the videos and I get emotional. It was spectacular. Thank you so much."

Messi also went on to say the moment was "perhaps the saddest" of his career but insisted his support for the team would remain as strong as ever.

"Today is perhaps the saddest day of my career. I'll be there for them, supporting these guys and those who come after. Always united. It's been more than proven that when we're united, we can overcome anything. Tough times are coming, and we have to be there for them more than ever," he added. "To achieve great things, you have to build strong teams. There are people who want to see the national team fail, and we can't give them the satisfaction. "It's in difficult times that you see the true strength of the team. We were an extraordinary group. I've spoken more than ever, but I don't want to leave here. Thank you so much. I love you all."

"Today is perhaps the saddest day of my career. I'll be there for them, supporting these guys and those who come after. Always united. It's been more than proven that when we're united, we can overcome anything. Tough times are coming, and we have to be there for them more than ever," he added.

"To achieve great things, you have to build strong teams. There are people who want to see the national team fail, and we can't give them the satisfaction.

"It's in difficult times that you see the true strength of the team. We were an extraordinary group. I've spoken more than ever, but I don't want to leave here. Thank you so much. I love you all."

The GOAT bows out after 208 games and 126 goals for Argentina. He won the World Cup, two Copa America titles, is his country's most capped player, leading scorer and an all-time great who will simply never be forgotten.