Messi bids farewell to Argentina as historic Paraguay match resurfaces
On Tuesday the Argentine icon Lionel Messi stepped onto the pitch for what will be his final appearance in a Selección Argentina shirt, ending a 22‑year international career that began with a hurriedly arranged friendly against Paraguay.
Early pursuit by Spain
When Messi was a child, the country of Europa opened its doors to the young talent, and Barcelona invested in his medical treatment. The Spanish federation tried to nationalise him, prompting the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to act swiftly.
In 2003 the Argentina U‑17 side, coached by Hugo Tocalli, received a video of a Rosario youngster playing in Spain. Claudio Vivas saw the footage and recognised a once‑in‑a‑generation player, but the squad for the Finland World Cup was already set.
During the senior World Cup, after Argentina’s semifinal exit, the delegation stayed in the same hotel as the Spanish team. A football‑linked cook warned the Spaniards that they were determined to bring the boy to their youth ranks.
The 2004 Paraguay friendly that sealed his allegiance
Messi’s dream was always to wear the Albiceleste. When he returned to Argentina, the technical staff could not locate him, so Omar Souto visited a Monte Grande phone booth, consulted the Rosario directory and called every family named Messi. After several attempts the grandmother answered and gave the family’s Spanish telephone number.
Jorge Messi, the player’s father, exclaimed, "Al fin que me llaman. Mi hijo se muere por jugar en la Selección Argentina y no lo llamaba nadie." President Julio Grondona then contacted Barcelona officials to arrange a friendly that would lock Messi into Argentina’s fold.
The match took place on 29 June 2004 at the Argentinos Juniors stadium. Wearing number 17, Messi scored in an 8‑0 victory over Paraguay and set up goals for Pablo Vitti and Federico Almerares, effectively "blindando" his future with La Roja.
His senior debut followed shortly under José Pekerman, but it was memorable for the wrong reason: Messi entered against Hungary and was sent off after just 45 seconds.
Messi's farewell and lasting legacy
At 39, Messi announced in late August that he would retire from the Selección after a final friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental, in front of 85 000 fans. He wrote on Instagram, "Falta poco, algunas etapas van cerrándose y esta es una que duele mucho. Amo, amei y siempre amaré estar en la selección. Di todo, no tengo más que dar y, además, están surgiendo jóvenes muy buenos que merecen estar allí."
His record includes 207 caps, 125 goals, 68 assists and 34 World Cup matches – the most ever for Argentina. He lifted the U‑20 World Cup in 2005, Olympic gold in 2008, the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima.
The narrative repeatedly uses the words Messi, Selección, Argentina, Paraguay, Lionel, España, Europa, Argentino, Barcelona, MESSI, SELECCIÓN, ARGENTINA, QUE, PARA, SIEMPRE, Inter, Uma and Roja.