Two Argentina players were ‘stopped’ from joining the Argentina team for Lionel Messi’s farewell game.
Two Argentina players won’t be able to join Lionel Messi in his last game for the national team. Messi will say goodbye to playing for Argentina in the match against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. This will be the 39-year-old’s final game after an amazing 20+ years playing for his country.
Even though Nahuel Molina and Paulo Dybala helped Messi win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, the Roma club has blocked them from traveling to the farewell match. The club said it’s for “sporting and logistical reasons.”
AS Roma shared a statement: “Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina won’t attend the Argentina vs. Benin match on October 6. We know this match means a lot to them since they share a close bond with Messi and won the 2022 World Cup together. Still, because of the long travel and upcoming club games, they can’t make it. We respect Messi’s incredible career and wish him and Argentina a special evening.”
Before playing Benin, Argentina will face Bolivia on October 1 and Burkina Faso on October 4.
Messi, who scored 125 goals in 207 games for Argentina, announced he would retire from international football shortly after the World Cup final loss to Spain. He also shared that the loss of his father in August made it harder for him to keep going.
Messi wrote: “After thinking a lot, I’ve decided to retire from the Argentina national team. This was a tough choice, but I know the time is right. I’ve always given my all for this team, bringing you joy and making you proud to be Argentine. I love the national team deeply and will miss being part of it. Now, it’s time for younger players who deserve it.
“Thank you for your love and support over these past 20 years. I’ll miss hearing you cheer from the stands. I’ll still be one of you, cheering from the sidelines through the good and bad times.
“Thanks to my family for always supporting me through this beautiful but tough journey. Thanks to every coach, teammate, and official I’ve worked with—I leave with amazing memories.
“I’m proud of what we achieved together. Thank you, God, for making me Argentinian.
“Let’s go, Argentina!
“I wrote this on July 21, two days after the final. After what happened with my dad, I feel even more certain.”