Lautaro, Paz and Serie A stars send messages to Messi after international retirement
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - OCTOBER 06: Nico Paz of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Lionel Messi during the International Friendly match between Argentina and Benin at Estadio Monumental Antonio V. Liberti on October 06, 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lionel Messi is making his final appearance for Argentina following his announcement of international retirement on 31 August. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
All of the Serie A stars involved with the Argentina national team squad, including the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono, have sent messages to Lionel Messi following his retirement from international football earlier this week: ‘You were, you are and always will be the greatest of all time’.
Seven Serie A players were called up to the Argentina national team squad for Messi’s final camp in the September-October international break, not including Paulo Dybala, who hasn’t played for Argentina since 2024, nor Nahuel Molina, who was suspended.
Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, Como’s Nico Paz, Roma trio Matias Soule, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi, Juventus’s Nico Gonzalez and Fiorentina’s Franco Mastantuono were all present for Messi’s final farewell to international football earlier this week and have all sent public messages of gratitude on social media in the days since then.
Here is what they all had to say.
How Serie A stars said goodbye to Messi after final Argentina appearance
Lautaro Martinez: “A night we never wanted to come, but I enjoyed it to the fullest like all of those moments I’ve experienced with you. You were, you are and always will be the greatest of all time.”
Nico Paz: “Yesterday, the best player in history said goodbye to the national team, the person who made us dream for so many years. It has been a privilege to play a small part in your career and to be by your side for such special moments like yesterday. Thank you so much for these years that I got to share with you, you don’t know how much we’re going to miss you.”
Matias Soule: “Thank you for everything, idolo. It was a dream for me to have been able to share your last training sessions in this beautiful shirt.”
Santiago Castro: “Thank you for all the moments you gave us in this shirt, thank you for taking Argentina to the highest levels, thank you for never leaving this country in a bad spot and for putting yourself bringing joy to the millions of people who watch us across the world. Thank you for having made me fall in love with football and the national team. Thank you for being Argentino. Thank you no.10!”
Nahuel Molina: “Eternal thanks, captain. You deserve all this and more. Thank you for everything you gave us Argentinians. It was a pleasure to share so many beautiful moments with you.”
Leonardo Balerdi: “Thank you for everything. Leo. You are the best of us, there will never be anyone like you. Thank you for always showing us the way.”
Nico Gonzalez: What a privilege to have shared so many moments and so many years by your side on the pitch. Eternal thanks, captain.”
Franco Mastantuono: “You will always be with all of us Argentinians. For making us believe and for showing us that we have to try until the very end. Of course we’re going to miss you and it’s going to be difficult without you. But you have left a legacy that will never be repeated.”
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