Some football friendships are remembered long after the final whistle, and Neymar Jr’s emotional farewell message to Lionel Messi has highlighted the special bond between two of the game’s biggest stars.
As Messi prepared to play his final match for Argentina on Tuesday, October 6, Neymar took to X to honour his former teammate and friend, reflecting on the years they spent sharing the pitch and making football history together.
“Who loves football has enjoyed you throughout these years… Today is your last game in the shirt of your national team, of your country, and I hope you savor every second, that all the tributes today make you happy,” Neymar wrote.
“It’s not just Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you did for football.”
The Brazilian star also thanked Messi for inspiring his love for the game and recalled the honour of playing both against him and alongside him.
“Thank you for making me love football even more, it was an honor to have played against you and even more so to make history by your side,” Neymar wrote.
He ended the emotional message with: “THANKS Leo Messi 🐐.”
Neymar and Messi first became teammates at Barcelona in 2013, where they formed part of a celebrated attacking trio alongside Luis Suárez. Their partnership produced several major trophies before Neymar left the Spanish club in 2017.
The pair reunited as teammates at Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, before Messi left the French club in 2023. Despite representing rival South American nations, Brazil and Argentina, their friendship has remained visible beyond their club and international rivalry.
Neymar’s tribute quickly drew emotional reactions from fans on X.
Ademola, posting as @Im_Ade…, described Neymar as “The best partner Messi has ever had: Neymar 🐐.”
Vn, posting as @mlkvinicinn, reflected on Messi’s influence on football, writing: “It’s impossible to look at this text from Neymar and not remember the size of Messi’s impact on football.”
“Our generation had the privilege of following one of the greatest of all time and, above all, of seeing two geniuses like Messi and Neymar sharing the same field,” vn added.
READ ALSO: I Tried And I Tried. Now It’s Over. It Began Here And It Ends Here -Neymar
READ ALSO: Al-Hilal Boss Reveals Key Difference Between Neymar & Ronaldo
Camisa 5, posting as @camisaaa5, described their relationship as “one of the best friendships he had in football.”
LACOBRAAA, posting as @lautar…, wrote: “I will love you all my life, Neymar. Thank you for so much football and so much respect.”
VHC, posting as @victorHcaceres4, added: “You are and always will be welcome and adored in Argentina, thank you for everything.”
The emotional reactions came as Messi brought his international career to a close at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Argentina defeated Benin 3–0, with Messi scoring from the penalty spot and providing two assists in his final appearance for the national team.
The farewell marked the end of Messi’s 21-year international career and another major chapter in football history.
For Neymar, however, the moment was not simply about the end of Messi’s Argentina career. It was also an opportunity to celebrate a friendship built through years of competition, teamwork and unforgettable football.
From Barcelona teammates to Paris Saint-Germain colleagues and opponents on the international stage, Neymar and Messi have shared some of football’s biggest moments.
And as Messi walked away from the Argentina shirt for the final time, Neymar’s words offered a reminder that some football partnerships become much bigger than what happens on the pitch.
