Messi denounces World Cup conspiracy claims, urges unity as he ends Argentina career
Lionel Messi slammed conspiracy theories about Argentina’s run in the 2026 World Cup and urged fans to stay united after bringing down the curtain on his international career on Wednesday, October 7 at the Monumental in Buenos Aires. The night ended with Argentina beating Benin 3-0.
Messi was central to the victory, providing two assists before capping the win with a penalty in front of the home crowd, who cheered him at every touch. After the match — which featured a drone show and a musical performance — he addressed teammates and supporters, began by remembering his late father, Jorge, who passed away in August, and said he was sad to be retiring but that the last World Cup had taken a toll on the side both emotionally and physically.
In his address Messi confronted the narratives that followed Argentina’s World Cup run, saying many people had suggested the team benefited from favourable decisions at key moments, which allegedly helped them reach the final against Spain. He rejected those claims in simple terms, saying: "We were so close to becoming champions. In the last World Cup, we were very close. Nothing strange happened."
Messi described the encounter with England at the tournament as especially draining and tied that stress to the flurry of theories afterwards. "The match against England was an enormous amount of stress for us. Many theories and different narratives emerged after the World Cup. Emotionally and physically, we reached our limits," he said, adding that the squad fought with everything they had.
He paid tribute to his teammates for the recent international successes, crediting them directly for the achievements that defined the closing chapter of his Argentina career. "It wasn't because of me; you made it happen. My dream came true. You helped me," Messi told the crowd, and thanked colleagues for the time they had spent together.
Addressing the supporters, Messi urged unity as a defence against external criticism and as a necessity for future success, appealing for continued backing of the national team. "When we are united, we are stronger than anyone else. We can get through anything. But we will be united, and we have to remain united. To achieve the highest goals, we have to stay together. There are people who don't want to see this national team win. But we have to unite against them," he said.
He closed with expressions of gratitude and emotion about leaving the pitch and the colours of the national team, telling supporters he would remain connected to Argentina and to the players who follow. "I will remain Argentine. And I am very grateful and proud to be Argentine. And proud to have fulfilled my dream with all of you," said Messi.
