Rodrigo De Paul
“Oh my God! The emotions I felt in that moment are beyond words. It was one of those rare occasions in football when time almost stood still, and the heart couldn’t contain the joy. What made it even more special was the awareness among all of us that this would be the last time we had the chance to share the pitch with Leo Messi on our home soil, in front of our beloved Argentine fans. That knowledge alone gave the match an atmosphere unlike any other—it wasn’t just a game, it was a farewell wrapped in love, respect, and gratitude.”
He continued:
“The most beautiful part of it all was the unspoken agreement we shared as a team. Nobody needed to say it out loud, but we all knew: this match had to be a gift for Leo. Every pass, every movement, every decision on the pitch was made with him in mind. We wanted him to feel celebrated, to feel cherished, to feel the deep appreciation we all carry for everything he has given us—not just as teammates, but as Argentines and as football lovers.”
“When that magical moment came, and Leo found the net, something extraordinary happened. In that instant, it was as if all the chapters of his legendary story flashed before our eyes—the goals that made history, the trophies that defined eras, the unforgettable nights when he made us laugh, scream, or even cry tears of joy. All of those memories seemed to come together in that one strike, in that one goal. The stadium erupted, not just because of the goal itself, but because of what it represented: a lifetime of greatness compressed into a single moment.”
Rodrigo added with a smile:
“We were deliberately giving him the ball more than ever. It was almost comical, but also so beautiful—every one of us wanted Leo to be the one to score. We wanted him to raise his arms to the sky one last time in Argentina, to give him the perfect farewell that he truly deserved. This victory was more than three points or just another game; it was our humble gift to a man who has given us years of magic, years of inspiration, and memories that will never fade.”
He finished with a laugh:
“And you know what? If Leo hadn’t scored, I swear I might have stolen the ball and scored myself—just to make sure we got that moment! (laughs) No, no, I’m only joking! Of course, we would have kept giving him the ball until the final whistle. That’s how much we wanted it for him, how much we wanted to see him smile. I’m just grateful to have been a part of this beautiful chapter, to have lived this moment with him, and to carry the memory of standing beside a legend in his final act here at home.”
