1 Goal, 2 Assists in Final National Team Match... Messi Great Until the End

[Anchor]

Football legend Lionel Messi has played his final match for the Argentina national team. He concluded his great journey by recording a goal and assists right up until his last game.

Reporter Hong Seok-jun has the story.

[Reporter]

As Messi's jerseys embroidered the sky of Buenos Aires, Messi shed hot tears starting from inside the bus heading to his 208th and final international A-match.

Appearing alongside his three sons and holding back overwhelming emotions to start the match, Messi gained strength from a standing ovation by 85,000 spectators in the 10th minute of the first half, symbolizing his uniform number.

And just as he has done over the past 22 years, he put on a brilliant one-man show.

He assisted the opening goal with a sharp corner kick in the 3rd minute of the second half, assisted another goal 13 minutes later, and then scored his 126th career goal via a penalty kick.

Winning 3-0 in his final victory to conclude a national team career filled with joy, including World Cup and Copa America titles, Messi said his final farewell accompanied by a tribute drone show.

[Messi / Argentina National Football Team Captain: I just want to say that I love you all, and I will miss you very much. Thank you so much. I love you!]

His lifelong rival Ronaldo formed a stark contrast until today.

While apologizing for his actions of voluntarily stepping down from the Portugal national team, he shifted the blame by stating, "It was because the coach broke a promise," and drew a clear line regarding rumors of his retirement from the national team.

(Video editing: Park Jung-sam, Design: Han Heung-soo, Video source: YouTube 'ge tv')
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.