Football history stood still as Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. penned an emotional farewell message to his former teammate and close friend, Lionel Messi. As the 39-year-old Argentine captain prepared for his final international match against Benin at the Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires, Neymar paid tribute to Messi’s incredible impact on world football.

Having shared the pitch across two iconic eras—at FC Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 and Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2023—Neymar and Messi forged one of the most lethal attacking partnerships in modern football history. On social media, Neymar expressed profound gratitude on behalf of global fans, emphasizing that Messi’s legend transcends national boundaries. Here is a complete overview of Neymar’s tribute, their historic bond, and the admiration surrounding Messi’s final international appearance.

Neymar’s Tribute to Messi: ‘The Whole World Thanks You’ – Emotional Farewell Before Argentina’s Final Match

Hours before Lionel Messi led Argentina out against Benin for his 207th and final senior cap, Neymar shared a moving message on social media. Reflecting on Messi’s two-decade international career, Neymar emphasized that global appreciation for the Argentine captain extends far beyond his home country.

Neymar wrote: “Anyone who loves football has enjoyed having you around all these years… Today is your last match wearing the shirt of your national team, of your country, and I hope you enjoy every second of it, and that all the greetings you receive today make you happy.”

The former Brazil forward added: “It is not only Argentina that thanks you; the whole world thanks you for everything you have done for football. Thank you for making me love football even more. It was an honor to have played against you and, even more so, to have made history alongside you.”

The bond between Messi and Neymar blossomed during Barcelona’s famed ‘MSN’ era alongside Luis Suárez, winning the continental treble in 2015. Despite their fierce international rivalry when representing Argentina and Brazil, their mutual respect remained unbreakable. As Messi finished his international career with a 3-0 victory against Benin and scored his 125th goal, Neymar’s tribute capped off widespread acclaim. 

The Ultimate Sports Live Hub Streaming on SLH

Modern football fans require fast, high-definition digital platforms to track international matches without technical interruptions. Sports Live Hub (SLH) provides an optimized portal designed for global coverage during major international fixtures.

hub sports live stream

The “hub sports live stream” portal on SLH acts as a centralized dashboard for live sports coverage. Rather than searching through untrusted links, users gain direct access to official live feeds. Tuning into SLH guarantees crisp video resolution, synchronized commentary, and real-time score tracking throughout major matches.

sport hub live streaming

Powered by adaptive bitrate technology, the “sport hub live streaming” framework on SLH automatically adjusts video resolution based on internet speeds. Whether streaming over Wi-Fi or mobile data, SLH minimizes buffering and eliminates lag during crucial match moments and farewell ceremonies.

How to watch Sports live for free

For fans asking “how to watch Sports live for free,” Sports Live Hub (SLH) provides accessible entry pathways alongside official broadcasters. On SLH, users can explore promotional trial passes and ad-supported free streaming tiers. By registering on Sports Live Hub, supporters can stream live sports legally without safety risks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What did Neymar say in his farewell message to Lionel Messi?

A: Neymar wrote that “the whole world thanks you for everything you’ve done for football,” calling it an honor to have written history alongside Messi.

Q2: Which clubs did Lionel Messi and Neymar play for together?

A: Messi and Neymar played together at FC Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 and at Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2023.

Q3: Did Lionel Messi score in his final match for Argentina?

A: Yes, Messi scored a 71st-minute penalty in Argentina’s 3–0 win over Benin, finishing with 125 international goals in 207 caps.

Q4: Where was Messi’s farewell match played?

A: The farewell match took place at the Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Q5: What major international trophies did Lionel Messi win with Argentina?

A: Messi won four major trophies: the 2021 Copa América, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 FIFA World Cup, and 2024 Copa América.