A Farewell That Moved the Squad
Lionel Messi's farewell to the Argentina national team at the Monumental stadium produced unforgettable scenes, and among the most striking was the visible anguish of Enzo Fernández. The midfielder was captured by cameras weeping as the captain spoke, and the images quickly spread across social media. After the match, a 3-0 victory over Benin, Enzo spoke in the mixed zone and acknowledged that the moment overwhelmed him completely.[S1][S2]
Speaking to TyC Sports, the midfielder described the day as highly emotional and said he felt a rush of conflicting sensations. He expressed hope that Messi had enjoyed the tribute and admitted that the team will miss him enormously. When asked about his tears during the speech, Enzo did not hold back, calling his crying horrible and terrible. His honesty laid bare the weight of the occasion for a player who grew up idolizing the captain.[S1][S2]
A Bond Forged in Triumph
For Enzo Fernández, the farewell carried a significance beyond the end of Messi's international career. The two shared one of the most successful periods in Argentina's recent history, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Enzo secured a starting role and was named the tournament's best young player. They also won the 2024 Copa América together, adding another major trophy to their partnership with the Albiceleste.[S1][S2]
The midfielder, now a key figure in Argentina's renewal, recalled feeling like the child who wrote letters to Messi a decade ago when the captain took a break from the national team. That personal connection made the goodbye even more poignant. As Messi closed a story spanning more than two decades with the Argentine shirt, Enzo was left with a certainty: the memory of Leo as a teammate will remain forever.[S1][S2]
