David Beckham pays touching tribute to Lionel Messi as Argentina star retires from international football

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham has posted a message for Lionel Messi after his farewell match for Argentina. The Englishman congratulated the 39-year-old and hailed him as the greatest footballer.

Taking to Instagram, Beckham said that he was delighted to see the celebration around Messi's farewell game. He added that the Argentina superstar gave everything to the nation in his two decades and posted: "One last dance for a special person & player that achieved everything and became the greatest 🩵🤍 A night to celebrate everything Leo gave to his country and to go out in a way he and his family deserves 🩵🤍 Congratulations, friend!

Beckham spoke to Apple TV last month, backing the Argentina superstar for this year's Ballon d'Or. He believed that the 39-year-old has done enough to win the France Football award and said: I think when you see him do things like this tonight, when you see him have the World Cup that he's had, it's not luck that he's being considered for the Ballon d'Or again.

It's not luck because he was probably the best player in the tournament. He had an incredible year last year.

He came into that tournament in the World Cup, and like you've just said, 39 years old, to affect a World Cup and every game the way he did. There's no one at 39 that's doing that and doing it at that level.

So he deserves to be considered for the Ballon d'Or. He, in my opinion, should win it.

You've got great players there like Harry Kane, like Kylian [Mbappé], like Jude Bellingham and other players there, but you know, when you're talking about Leo, I'm his biggest supporter." Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football in August this year, but was convinced to play in a farewell match against Benin on Tuesday, October 6. Lionel Messi to continue club football after Argentina retirement Lionel Messi has two years left on his Inter Miami contract and will continue playing for the MLS side.

He has two years left on his deal and will finish his contract at the club. The Argentina star joined Inter Miami in 2023 after his PSG contract expired.

He was linked with a move back to Barcelona, but the Catalan side could not sort out their finances, so he opted to move to the United States.