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Dang Hong Tham, a resident of Binh Loi Trung Ward, struggled to describe her emotions. "Watching this match feels just like the first time I ever saw Messi play. I've always loved his beautiful, technically brilliant style of football. Every match he plays gives me a feeling that's hard to put into words," she said.
When the final whistle sounded, the celebrations gave way to tears. Many supporters struggled to contain their emotions, wondering when world football might ever see another No. 10 quite like Messi. For them, the farewell was about much more than saying goodbye to a footballer. It marked the end of a personal journey that had accompanied them through childhood and youth, through heartbreaking defeats and years of disappointment, and ultimately to the overwhelming joy of Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph.
Even some of the most composed supporters could no longer hold back their tears. Nguyen Duc Thach, from Hiep Thanh Ward, said he had followed Messi since 2009, when he was a seventh-grade student. Much of his childhood and adolescence had been shaped by his admiration for Argentina's No. 10. As the match came to an end, Thach broke down in tears, knowing he would never again see his idol represent the national team. For supporters like Thach, Messi was more than a sporting hero. His career had become intertwined with their own memories of growing up.
Messi leaves international football as Argentina's most-capped player, having made 208 appearances and scored 126 goals for his country. His farewell closes an extraordinary chapter in Argentine football, but for the fans who grew up watching him, the memories will remain long after his final dance.
Tuan Hung
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