Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. has paid an emotional tribute to Lionel Messi as the Argentine prepares to make his final appearance for the national team.
Neymar, who shared the pitch with Messi at both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, used the occasion to reflect on their friendship, rivalry and years of playing alongside one another.
In a message shared on Instagram, Neymar told Messi that anyone who loves football had enjoyed watching him throughout his career.
“Anyone who loves football has enjoyed you throughout all these years,” Neymar wrote.
Neymar went on to acknowledge the significance of Messi’s final Argentina appearance, telling his former teammate to enjoy every second of the occasion and the tributes that would accompany it.
He also stressed that Messi’s influence extended far beyond Argentina.
“It’s not only Argentina that thanks you, the whole world thanks you for everything you’ve done for football,” Neymar wrote.
The Brazilian forward then turned the message personal, thanking Messi for helping deepen his own love for the game.
Neymar and Messi developed one of football’s most celebrated partnerships during their time at Barcelona, where they played alongside Luis Suárez as part of the club’s famed attacking trio.
Their relationship continued when Neymar moved to Paris Saint-Germain, where the pair were reunited and helped the French club compete at the highest level.
Despite representing rival South American nations, Brazil and Argentina, their relationship has largely been defined by mutual respect.
Neymar’s message also reflected that unusual combination of rivalry and friendship.
“It was an honor to have played against you, and even more so to have made history alongside you,” he wrote.
The tribute comes as Messi prepares for what is expected to be his final appearance for Argentina, with the 39-year-old set to face Benin at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental.
Messi’s farewell represents the end of an international career that has produced 207 appearances, 125 goals, a World Cup triumph, two Copa América titles and the Finalissima.
For Neymar, however, the moment carries a more personal significance. He spent some of the most important years of his club career alongside Messi, sharing trophies, dressing rooms and some of the biggest nights in European football.
Their friendship has endured despite the competitive history between Brazil and Argentina, making Neymar’s farewell message one of the more personal tributes to Messi as the Argentine prepares to close the international chapter of his career.
The Brazilian ended his message with a simple but powerful expression of gratitude: “THANK YOU, Leo Messi.”
As Messi prepares to walk out for the final time in Argentina’s colours, Neymar’s words underline the scale of his influence — not only on the country whose shirt he wore for more than two decades, but on teammates, rivals and football supporters across the world.