[Anchor]

Lionel Messi, the god of football, has played his final match for the Argentina national team. He concluded his legendary journey by recording a goal and assists right up until his last game.

Reporter Hong Seok-jun has the details.

[Reporter]

As Messi's jerseys decorated the skies of Buenos Aires, Messi shed hot tears starting right from the team bus on his way to his 208th and final international match.

Appearing with his three sons and holding back overwhelming emotions, Messi kicked off the match and gained strength from a standing ovation by a packed crowd of 85,000 in the 10th minute of the first half, symbolizing his jersey number.

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

Three minutes into the second half, he assisted the opening goal with a sharp corner kick, added another assist 13 minutes later, and then scored his 126th career goal through a penalty kick.

Finishing his national team career—filled with joy including World Cup and Copa America victories—with a 3-0 final win, Messi bid his final farewell accompanied by a tribute drone show.

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

His lifelong rival Ronaldo created a stark contrast up until today.

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

(Video Editing: Park Jung-sam, Design: Han Heung-su, Video Source: YouTube "ge tv")