“Yo le diría que siga, por cómo está. Es un grande, un capitán con todas las letras. Siempre fue mi bandera, inspiración,” stated Franco Mastantuono, capturing the profound emotion of a historic night at the Estadio Monumental where Argentina defeated Benin 3-0. Following the final whistle, the Albiceleste squad opened up about Lionel Messi’s farewell match, detailing the heavy atmosphere and contrasting views on whether the captain could have stayed on a bit longer.
Tearful Farewell at the Monumental
The fixture in Buenos Aires carried the weight of a generation ending. As Lionel Messi addressed the stadium to seal his departure from international duty after more than 20 years, players on the pitch and supporters in the stands struggled to maintain their composure. Franco Mastantuono admitted in the mixed zone that the evening was uniquely painful for him. “Estaba muy emocionado porque es mi ídolo desde chico y vivir su despedida de la Selección fue muy doloroso. Traté de disfrutarlo, traté de poner la mejor cara aunque estaba triste sinceramente,” he explained, noting that despite his sadness, he watched in awe as a 39-year-old Messi sprinted at full speed late in the match to retrieve a ball heading out of bounds. Messi closed his final appearance with a penalty goal and two assists, while supporters and players alike witnessed the end of a career that spanned over two decades, highlighted by his post-match declaration: “Fue un orgullo muy grande defender esta camiseta por más de 20 años.”
Defenders Reflect on a 17-Year Journey
For veteran Nicolás Otamendi, the night marked a double farewell. Otamendi revealed that he had initially considered his final appearance to be at the World Cup, but answered a direct personal summons from Messi to be part of the celebration. “Recibí el llamado del Diez para que esté acá, que pueda disfrutar su despedida, es un día histórico,” Otamendi shared, reflecting on seventeen years together in the national team. He added that scoring his final international goal off a pass from Messi was a memory he would carry for life. Meanwhile, Lisandro Martínez described the mental toll on the squad leading up to the fixture. “Jugamos con una angustia enorme. Parece que nunca va a llegar y hoy llegó. Todavía cuesta asimilarlo, irnos y saber que en la próxima Fecha FIFA no estará,” Martínez said, acknowledging the raw difficulty the team will face when November arrives without their leader.
Contrasting Desires for the Captain’s Future
While the retirement is officially set, opinions within the squad revealed a lingering wish for more time. Mastantuono insisted that Messi’s physical condition still warrants playing at the highest level, repeating, “Yo le diría que siga, por cómo está, que siga.” Facundo Medina echoed a similar sentiment regarding the forward’s capabilities on the pitch. “Yo creo que podía un poquito más, pero son decisiones de la vida y hay que respetarlo,” Medina remarked, noting both the privilege of sharing the field and the stark reality of the transition. At the same time, teammates like Enzo Fernández and Exequiel Palacios emphasized the void left behind. Fernández stated simply, “Lo vamos a extrañar mucho,” while Palacios called sharing the pitch with the greatest of all time an eternal pride.
Next Steps for the Albiceleste
With Messi confirming he will now support the squad from the outside, the Albiceleste turn their focus toward the upcoming November FIFA international window. The younger generation of players—including Mastantuono and other emerging prospects—must now play their first official fixtures without the talisman who defined Argentine football for two decades. Para nosotros, lo más importante es tener el apoyo de él y siempre lo tuvimos. Estoy superagradecido
Mastantuono noted, emphasizing the significance of the captain’s backing for the squad’s future.
More on Franco Mastantuono
Worth a look
