Julián Álvarez’s Emotional Farewell to Lionel Messi: From Childhood Fan to Teammate

Julián Álvarez shared a childhood photograph alongside a recent image with Lionel Messi on Instagram following the national team captain’s international retirement. Messi concluded his two-decade career with the Argentina national team on Tuesday, October 6, during a match against Benin at the Monumental stadium.

The Atlético de Madrid forward was visibly emotional during the squad’s on-field tribute, with official transmission images capturing him with tearful eyes as Messi addressed more than 85,000 spectators. Enzo Fernández also cried during the ceremony concluding the captain’s cycle with the Albiceleste.

Childhood Fan to Teammate

In his Instagram post, Álvarez reviewed a relationship spanning more than a decade, sharing a 2011 photograph from when he was a child and met Messi at a hotel in Córdoba during the Copa América, alongside an image of the two embracing during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Primero te admiré como un nene, como millones de argentinos que crecimos soñando con ser futbolistas gracias a vos Álvarez wrote, adding, Después tuve la suerte de conocerte, ser tu compañero y vivir cosas que nunca voy a olvidar.

The forward previously recounted the origin of the 2011 meeting in an interview with the national team’s apparel brand, noting that he and his brothers visited the hotel when Messi was already their idol. Álvarez also praised the captain’s character: Por su forma de ser en la cancha y afuera también. Tan crack y tan humilde a la vez.

Alvarez and Teammates Express Admiration for Messi

Concluding his message, Álvarez wrote, Te vamos a extrañar mucho con la celeste y blanca. Para mí vas a ser siempre el más grande. Muchas gracias, Leo. Alongside Álvarez, players such as Valentín Barco and Facundo Buonanotte also expressed their admiration and devotion following Messi’s departure.

Barco Reflects on Playing with Messi

Valentín Barco expressed his devotion in an Instagram post, writing, Fui un privilegiado de poder compartir cancha y selección con vos, capitán and Muchas gracias por nunca rendirte y por darnos tantas alegrías, sos el mejor de la historia y te vamos a extrañar siempre, tu legado es eterno. Barco and Messi played two matches together for the national team, starting with a 5-0 victory over Zambia on March 31 at La Bombonera, where Barco scored his first and only goal for the Albiceleste, followed by a 3-1 win against Jordan in the World Cup group stage. Previously, on August 31, Barco posted, Desde que era un nene me imaginé poder jugar con vos, sos mi ídolo and sos una persona increíble. Facundo Buonanotte also shared his experience of meeting Messi and sharing the field, stating, Yo lo vi toda mi infancia a Leo en el Barcelona. Uno soñaba poder compartir, aunque sea una foto o una charla, y de soñar eso a poder compartir la selección argentina, después de que él haya salido campeón del mundo… es el sueño que tenía desde chico and describing him as súper simple, muy humilde, que siempre trata de ayudar al equipo.

The official account of the Argentine national team shared a tribute on August 31, 2026, stating, Gracias eternas, Leo. Te vamos a amar hasta el final de nuestros días. Following the match, coach Lionel Scaloni noted that he had never seen ese aura in any other player. Other figures, including Rodrigo De Paul, Neymar, and Ángel Di María, also shared farewell messages.