In a moment of farewell, Messi recalls Maradona with an emotional message.

The two legends collaborated at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where Maradona coached Messi, who was a young player at the time.

Maradona led the Argentine national team to victory in the World Cup in Mexico in 1986, while Messi guided his country to the World Cup title in Qatar 2022.

The Argentine team failed to win the title last July, losing the final to Spain 1-0 in the United States.

Messi wrote: "Yesterday was my last match, and I already miss wearing the blue and white jersey."

He added: "I know I made the right decision. It was a wonderful journey, filled with joy but also some sad moments. But I am sure that every step was worth it."

The post garnered millions of likes and comments, including a message of appreciation from Cristiano Ronaldo (41 years old), Messi's long-time rival, whose international future with Portugal remains uncertain.

Ronaldo wrote: "Leo, you have represented your country for many years and written a story that will always be remembered."

He added: "You have my utmost respect for what you have achieved with the Argentine national team."

Messi played his final match for Argentina last Tuesday in a friendly against Benin at the "Monumental" stadium in Buenos Aires, where he scored one goal and assisted two others in a match that ended 3-0 in favor of his team, thus concluding his international career that lasted twenty-one years.

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Messi (39 years old) reflected on his international career in a post on "Instagram", praising his family and remembering Maradona, the other legend of Argentine football, who passed away about 6 years ago.

Messi wrote: "I don’t want to forget Diego, who led our country to the place it deserves, and who, as I mentioned before, helped us every step of the way, whether he was here with us or from the sky."

The two legends collaborated at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where Maradona coached Messi, who was a young player at the time.

Maradona led the Argentine national team to victory in the World Cup in Mexico in 1986, while Messi guided his country to the World Cup title in Qatar 2022.

The Argentine team failed to win the title last July, losing the final to Spain 1-0 in the United States.

Messi wrote: "Yesterday was my last match, and I already miss wearing the blue and white jersey."

He added: "I know I made the right decision. It was a wonderful journey, filled with joy but also some sad moments. But I am sure that every step was worth it."

The post garnered millions of likes and comments, including a message of appreciation from Cristiano Ronaldo (41 years old), Messi's long-time rival, whose international future with Portugal remains uncertain.

Ronaldo wrote: "Leo, you have represented your country for many years and written a story that will always be remembered."

He added: "You have my utmost respect for what you have achieved with the Argentine national team."

Messi played his final match for Argentina last Tuesday in a friendly against Benin at the "Monumental" stadium in Buenos Aires, where he scored one goal and assisted two others in a match that ended 3-0 in favor of his team, thus concluding his international career that lasted twenty-one years.