Rosario has raised a 30-metre salute to its most famous son. Before Lionel Messi’s final Argentina appearance, a giant national-team shirt bearing a simple message of thanks has been installed in the city where the former Paris Saint-Germain forward was born and grew up.
Rosario honours Messi before Argentina farewell
- A 30-metre Argentina shirt was unveiled in Rosario as a tribute to Messi, the Albiceleste captain and long-time wearer of the No. 10 shirt.
- The oversized display carries the word “Thank you” alongside Messi’s number.
- It comes ahead of Tuesday’s match against Benin at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium, announced as Messi’s final outing for the Argentina national side.
The accompanying message thanked the 39-year-old for what he has given the country during his international career: “Thank you, captain. You gave us everything. You made us believe again, dream of the impossible, and gave us unforgettable moments that will remain with us for the rest of our lives.”
A national goodbye
Tributes are gathering pace in Rosario and across Argentina before what is expected to be a historic final night for Messi in national colours. The forward’s international journey has taken him from early disappointment to the Copa América and World Cup triumphs that changed his standing from national idol to enduring symbol of the Albiceleste.
For Rosario, the vast shirt is a public farewell for the player who left the city as a boy and returned to it as Argentina’s captain, champion and No. 10.
