‘A legendary journey’ – Barcelona sporting director Deco pays ultimate tribute to Lionel Messi following emotional Argentina retirement

The Catalan club also ensured they marked the occasion with a formal message to their greatest ever player. Rather than a standard post-match graphic, the club waited until the final whistle of the Benin clash—where Messi signed off with one goal and two assists—to release a poignant statement. They chose to reference his early success, specifically the gold medal he won at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which served as a springboard for his future international dominance.

In a statement released on their official channels, Barcelona said: “From that gold medal in Beijing in 2008 to an unforgettable career, making history every step of the way with La Albiceleste. Congratulations, Leo, for continuing to make Argentina’s jersey even more iconic” This acknowledgement reflects the club’s desire to remain connected to Messi’s legacy, despite his controversial exit to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and his subsequent move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.