06/10/2026
Today, rivalry can wait. Today, we celebrate Lionel Messi.
Whether he is your favourite player or not, you can appreciate what this man has given football.
The little boy from Rosario became a player who made the extraordinary look ordinary. The close control, the passes nobody else could see, the goals and those moments when you could only shake your head and smile.
But what touches me most about his Argentina journey is not just the talent. It is everything he went through.
The expectations. The criticism. The heartbreak of losing finals while carrying the hopes of a nation.
In 2016, the pain became so much that he walked away.
Looking back now, imagine if that had been the end.
But he returned. He kept going. And the Argentina shirt that had brought him so much heartbreak eventually gave him some of his happiest moments.
From Copa América glory to lifting the World Cup, we watched disappointment turn into celebration.
That journey is a reminder that being gifted doesn’t mean everything comes easily. Even the greatest can struggle. Even the greatest can need another chance.
Messi, thank you for giving us so many reasons to love this game.
Thank you for the moments we replayed, the arguments we had with our friends, and the memories we will one day explain to people who never got to watch you.
As you say goodbye to the Argentina shirt, know that your place in football will remain.
Today, I’m leaving rivalry and personal preference aside.
From one football lover to another: it has been a privilege to watch you.
Gracias, Leo.
