Ronaldinho: Messi Deserves a Beautiful Farewell

Ronaldinho has paid an emotional tribute to Lionel Messi as his former Barcelona teammate prepares for what is expected to be his final appearance for Argentina.

The Brazilian legend, who shared the pitch with Messi 80 times during their four years together at Barcelona, expressed his happiness at seeing how far the Argentine has come and wished him a memorable farewell.

‘I’m very happy for everything Messi has achieved. He deserves a beautiful farewell with Argentina and I hope he enjoys every moment,’ Ronaldinho said.
Their relationship dates back to the beginning of Messi’s senior career at Barcelona, with Ronaldinho providing the assist for the youngster’s first senior goal for the club.

Almost two decades later, Messi is preparing to close the book on his Argentina career.
The 39-year-old has announced his retirement from international football after leading Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, although he was included in the squad for the team’s post-tournament friendlies.

Messi is expected to play against Benin Republic on October 6, giving supporters the opportunity to watch Argentina’s record goalscorer and appearance maker for one of the final times in the famous blue and white shirt.

The farewell has already taken on a special significance, with Messi unveiling a special Argentina kit for the occasion.
For Ronaldinho, the moment is particularly poignant given his own history with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

The pair shared some of Messi’s earliest steps towards becoming one of football’s greatest players, with Ronaldinho playing an important role in his introduction to senior football at Barcelona.

Argentina’s next generation is also beginning to confront the reality of life after Messi.
Teenage midfielder Franco Mastantuono, now at Fiorentina, admitted that it will be emotionally difficult for Argentina to move forward without the player who has been at the centre of the national team for so long.

Mastantuono has emerged as one of Argentina’s promising young talents and has ambitions of becoming a major figure for the national side himself.
But before the next generation takes over, Argentina will have one more opportunity to celebrate Messi.

From his first senior goal with Ronaldinho’s help at Barcelona to World Cup triumph with Argentina, Messi’s journey has taken him from teenage prodigy to the country’s record goalscorer and appearance maker.