Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez recently offered insights into Lionel Messi’s departure from the Argentine national team, underscoring the mixed emotions experienced by his long-time friend. Speaking after Inter Miami’s 4-0 victory against DC United on October 10, Suárez shared his observations regarding Messi’s decision to conclude his 21-year international career, a moment that marked a significant transition for the football icon.
Suárez, a former Barcelona teammate and current club companion of Messi at Inter Miami, noted the sadness associated with leaving the national squad but emphasized Messi’s profound sense of peace and pride for having given his utmost. According to Suárez, Messi achieved the pinnacle of success with his country, an accomplishment that brought him immense satisfaction despite the emotional difficulty of his farewell.
Messi’s final appearance for Argentina occurred on October 6, when the team secured a 3-0 friendly win over Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. This match drew an audience of over 85,000 spectators and featured various tributes from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and former players. Following the game, Messi addressed the fans, acknowledging the painful nature of his goodbye and stating that playing for the national team was ‘the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.’ He retired as Argentina’s most-capped player with 208 appearances and record goal-scorer with 126 goals, alongside 67 assists.
A Shared Legacy and New Horizons
In a video released by the Argentine national team, Messi himself shared his thoughts prior to his retirement match, expressing both tranquility and eagerness for the game, while also relishing his last day in a place he deeply cherished. Reflecting on his career, Messi mused about advising his six-year-old self to ‘enjoy things more in football’ and not to rush from one achievement to the next, admitting he might not yet fully grasp the extent of his collective and individual accomplishments.
Messi also contemplated what his 80-year-old self would tell him, suggesting it would be to ‘enjoy this day’ because it is not easy to leave a place he had enjoyed visiting for over two decades. He described Argentinians as ‘special’ and ‘different,’ noting their unique and intense way of experiencing football. Despite moving to Spain at a young age, Messi affirmed that he never stopped feeling like ‘a neighborhood kid who had a dream,’ expressing happiness for his origins and life experiences. He concluded with an emotional message to fans, reiterating his pride in defending the national jersey through wins and losses, always striving to bring joy to the country and its people.
The Global Impact of Football Legends
The careers of globally recognized athletes such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez transcend national borders, influencing football’s commercial landscape and fan engagement worldwide. Messi’s continued stellar performance in Major League Soccer, where he leads the scoring charts, and his renewed partnership with Luis Suárez at Inter Miami, demonstrate how iconic players can elevate the profile of a league. Their presence draws international attention to the MLS, potentially attracting new investors, fans, and talent to the North American football scene. This transition also highlights the enduring appeal of these players’ on-field chemistry, which now focuses entirely on club success.
The bond between Suárez and Messi dates back to their time at Barcelona, where they played together from 2014 to 2020, forming a highly productive attacking trio. Their reunion at Inter Miami has seen this partnership rekindled, notably during the recent 4-0 victory over DC United. In that match, Suárez opened the scoring with two goals in the first half, while Messi added two more in the second, with one of his goals coming from a Suárez assist.
The dominant win against DC United not only broke Inter Miami’s five-game winless streak in the Major League Soccer but also propelled the team to second place in the Eastern Conference with 49 points. Messi currently leads the league’s scoring with 23 goals, while Suárez has contributed 16 goals to the team’s campaign. Suárez explicitly connected Messi’s national team retirement with their shared objective to ‘help win the MLS with Inter Miami,’ as the team, coached by Cristian ‘Kily’ González, aims to defend its title. Inter Miami’s next challenge is against New York City FC on October 14, while Messi, 39, remains under contract until the 2028 season.
As Lionel Messi dedicates his full focus to club football following a monumental international career, the attention now shifts to how this will impact Inter Miami’s pursuit of the MLS title. The enduring partnership between Messi and Luis Suárez is expected to be central to the team’s ambitions in the league and their broader impact on North American football.
Image: Ilustracion generada con IA
Sources consulted
- Infobae: La emotiva reflexión de Luis Suárez sobre la despedida de Lionel Messi de la selección argentina
- RFI: Leo Messi dice adiós a la albiceleste
- La Verdad Junín: El video de Lionel Messi: “Fue un orgullo haber defendido esta camiseta con el alma”
Bruno Kadez is a sports writer focused on performance, competition, and athlete insights. He covers major sporting events, player analysis, and trending stories across leagues. His reporting captures both the data and the emotion behind the game.
