Perfect farewell! Otamendi savours final Messi assist as Argentina stars salute outgoing king
Argentine football stars Nicolas Otamendi and Exequiel Palacios have paid tribute to Lionel Messi following his final international match for Argentina. The players expressed gratitude for their time playing alongside the captain, marking the end of an era for the national team.
Why it matters
Lionel Messi is a global sports icon, and his retirement from international play represents a significant transition for the Argentine national football team.
Nicolas Otamendi and Exequiel Palacios expressed immense gratitude following Lionel Messi's final match for Argentina. Otamendi revealed his delight at scoring from a Messi assist during the 3-0 victory against Benin.
Nicolas Otamendi provided one of the most memorable moments during Lionel Messi's international farewell, opening the scoring in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Benin. The veteran defender headed home from a precise Messi delivery, capping a night filled with high emotion at the Monumental Stadium.
Otamendi admitted he had previously assumed their international partnership had already concluded at the World Cup.
The goal provided a fitting final highlight for two long-serving national team pillars.
Otamendi expressed deep joy at sharing the pitch for one final match alongside his long-time captain. "An incredible ending; this match was a bonus, because I thought the last one had been at the World Cup," Otamendi told reporters.
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