Messi says Argentina retirement is 'saddest day of my career'

Messi, playing in his record-extending 208th international, also provided the assist for the opening goal scored by veteran Nicolas Otamendi, with Nico Paz also scoring. "It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years," Messi.

"Even in the worst moments we went through and that I had, I never stopped fighting, never stopped being here. "Not coming anymore is going to be deeply painful. I swear I'd like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.

"Messi said that returning to the Monumental -- where Argentina played their first game after winning the 2022 World Cup -- was bittersweet. "Now I'm here on the saddest day of my career, which is the day I have to say goodbye to the national team, goodbye to all of you.

"But now I'll be on that side (with the fans), supporting all the boys, everyone who comes in. Always united," he said.

Messi though said that despite the sadness, he had no regrets about the timing of his international exit, citing the exertions of Argentina's campaign at this year's World Cup, where the South Americans battled through to the final only to lose to Spain.

Messi said the emotional roller coaster of that tournament -- which included a 2-1 defeat of bitter rivals England in the semi-final -- had taken a toll. "Even though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment.

The last World Cup was too much, everything I had to live through," said Messi. "We had the dream of fulfilling my dream and the dream of the whole country, of becoming world champions again.

"In the last World Cup we were very close, and the reality is that nothing strange happened, as people say. The match against England took a huge toll on us physically, and emotionally it was very big.

"We arrived with just enough, we fought like we always did with this jersey, with all the teammates I got to be with and share things with, not only them but also those who were around in the time when we managed to win. We were very close.

"Messi took the field alongside his three children and received affectionate waves from his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his mother, Celia Cuccittini, who were watching from a VIP box. Shortly before kick off, a giant Argentina jersey bearing the word "Gracias" (Thank You) above the football superstar's No.10 was laid out on the pitch as the crowd roared their approval.