Lisandro Martinez Bids Farewell to Retired Lionel Messi

Lisandro Martinez has delivered an emotional farewell to Lionel Messi after the Argentina captain brought his international career to a close on Tuesday.

The Manchester United centre-back posted a video of Messi on the Argentina team bus, alongside clips from their time together with La Albiceleste. Martinez called it a privilege to share a team with “the greatest athlete in history”, saying Argentina would miss Messi forever before ending the tribute with: “All my love, Leo.”

Quick facts

Martinez replaced Nicolas Otamendi shortly after half-time.
It was the 30th Argentina appearance in which Martinez and Messi played together.
The pair were part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad in Qatar.
Messi ended his 208-cap international career with 126 goals.
Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, October 10, at 17:30 BST.

Argentina’s farewell match for Messi was staged in celebratory fashion, with pyrotechnics and a standing ovation in the 10th minute in recognition of his famous No. 10 shirt.

Messi marked his final appearance by smashing a penalty into the top of the net. Otamendi and Nico Paz were also on target against the African opposition.

The fixture brought an end to a three-week international window for United’s travelling players. Martinez is now set to return to Michael Carrick’s back line when Spurs visit Old Trafford in the Premier League.