BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – OCTOBER 06: Nico Paz of Argentina celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Lionel Messi during the International Friendly match between Argentina and Benin at Estadio Monumental Antonio V. Liberty on October 06, 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lionel Messi is making his final appearance for Argentina after announcing his retirement from the national team on August 31. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
All the stars of Serie A, including the Argentine national team, participate Lautaro Martinez, Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono sent messages to Lionel Messi following his retirement from international football earlier this week: “You were, are and always will be the best of all time.”
Seven Serie A players have been called up to Argentina’s national team for Messi’s final camp in September-October, including Paulo Dybala, who has not played for Argentina since 2024, and the suspended Nahuel Molina.
Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, Como’s Nico Paz, Roma trio Matias Soule, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi, Juventus’ Nico Gonzalez and Fiorentina’s Franco Mastantuono attended Messi’s final farewell to international football earlier this week and have since sent messages of thanks on social media.
That’s what they all say.
How the stars of Serie A said goodbye to Messi after the last game of the Argentine national team
Lautaro Martinez: “It was a night we never wanted to have, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, like all the moments I had with you. You were, were, and always will be the greatest.”
Nico Paz: “Yesterday, the best player in history said goodbye to the national team, to the person who made us dream for so many years. It was a great honor to play a small role in your career and to be with you in special moments like yesterday. Thank you so much for sharing these years with you, you don’t know how much we will miss you.”
Mathias Soule: “Thank you for everything, idol. It was a dream for me to share your latest workout in this beautiful shirt.”
Santiago Castro: “Thank you for all the moments you gave us in this shirt, thank you for taking Argentina to the highest levels, thank you for never putting this country in a bad place and giving yourself joy to millions of people who follow us around the world. Thank you for making me fall in love with football and the national team. Thank you for being Argentine. Thank you number 10!”
Nahuel Molina: “Thanks forever, captain. You deserve all this and more. Thank you for everything you have given us Argentines. It was a pleasure to share so many wonderful moments with you.”
Leonardo Balerdi: “Thank you for everything. Leo. You are our best, there will never be another like you. Thank you for always guiding us.”
Nico Gonzalez: What an honor to share so many moments and so many years with you on the field. Thanks forever, Captain.”
Franco Mastantuono: “You will always be with all of us Argentinians. For believing in us and showing us that we have to try until the end. Of course we will miss you and it will be difficult without you. But you left a legacy that will never be repeated.”