Lionel Messi ended his international career with the Argentina national team on October 6, 2026, playing his final match in a 3–0 victory against Benin at the Estadio Monumental. The farewell event prompted an unexpected emotional reaction from Spanish sports television panelist Tomás Roncero, a self-declared Real Madrid supporter and frequent critic of the forward, during a broadcast of the program El Chiringuito de Jugones.
Tears on Television After a Farewell
The discussion on the late-night sports show turned emotional after Argentine journalist and program contributor Matías Palacios broke down in tears while discussing Messi’s retirement from international football. Palacios recounted the span of the forward’s career, highlighting two decades of representation across six World Cup tournaments.
“He made us very happy for 20 years, Josep,” Palacios said during the broadcast hosted by Josep Pedrerol, pointing to the difficulties of daily life contrasted with the joy provided by the player. “I am grateful to life for having seen him the times I saw him in the World Cups, of having enjoyed him, of having seen him world champion.”
Palacios emphasized the personal resilience required to handle decades of public scrutiny before delivering a direct message of gratitude to the player. The visible distress of his colleague caught Roncero off guard, leading the Real Madrid fan to reconsider his usual commentary regarding the captain of the Argentine national team.
A Rival Fan Reconsiders an Emotional Departure
Roncero, who had publicly criticized Messi just days prior for what he described as past failures cushioned by media coverage, admitted that the reactions of his fellow panelists shifted his perspective on the player’s cultural footprint. The Spanish commentator noted that the sentimental attachment of certain journalists went beyond standard sports analysis.
“Many colleagues that I see here, I think even their personal happiness depends on Messi,” Roncero stated during the program. “And that sentimental affiliation ties you in a way for life. So the day that cord breaks, I would be desolate right now like them, I tell you seriously.”
Roncero acknowledged that Messi’s discourse had reached him, drawing a direct parallel to his own experiences as a supporter of Spanish club Real Madrid and the departures of legendary players like Raúl and Cristiano Ronaldo. He explained that watching icons leave forces fans to confront the passage of time and the connection between sports and childhood memory.
“When you fall in love with football, when you are a child, you choose your idols,” Roncero said. “So when the idols leave, a part of your childhood goes.”
The Final Match at Estadio Monumental
The broadcast discussion followed an organized tribute at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, where Argentina hosted Benin in an international friendly. Messi contributed two assists and scored a goal from the penalty spot to seal the 3–0 win, marking his final appearance on the pitch wearing the blue and white colors of his national team.
Related reading
