Enzo’s tearful tribute to Messi

Enzo Fernandez struggled to hold back his tears as Lionel Messi addressed thousands of Argentina supporters at the Monumental following their 3-0 victory over Benin.

For Fernandez, Messi’s farewell was more than the end of another international appearance. It marked the departure of the player he had admired since childhood and once dreamed of playing alongside.

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That dream began when Fernandez was 15. In 2016, when Messi briefly stepped away from international football, Fernandez wondered whether he would ever get the chance to share a pitch with his idol. He even calculated their respective ages and how much time he might have to reach the senior team before Messi’s international career ended.

The prospect seemed remote at the time. Messi returned, however, and Fernandez eventually made it to the Argentina team. The two went on to train together, share dressing rooms and celebrate major victories, including Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph.

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Argentina's midfielder Enzo Fernandez and forward Lionel Messi talk during their international friendly against Benin at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on October 6, 2026. Photo: AFP

Fernandez has often spoken about how Messi treated him when he joined the national team, something that made their relationship particularly meaningful to him.

“I will always be grateful for how you treated me from the moment I arrived,” Fernandez had written on social media after Messi had announced his retirement in August. “I came here with the hope of sharing the pitch with my idol, and instead I found someone who, from the very first moment, made me feel like one of the team.”

While speaking to local media after the Benin match, Fernandez acknowledged the significance of the night.

“A very emotional day, to be honest, a lot of mixed feelings. I hope Leo enjoyed it. We’re going to miss him a lot,” he said.