Former Argentine star [Lionel Messi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi) announced that he will never erase the memory of the late [Diego Maradona](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Maradona) after completing his final outing for the [Argentina national football team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina_national_football_team) in a friendly versus Benin Republic, crediting the icon for elevating the country onto the global football stage.
**What did Messi say?**
Messi told reporter Fabrizio Romano, "I don’t want to forget Diego, who put our country where it deserved to be. I know he helped us when he was here with us and also from heaven, every step of the way."
**Key facts about the tribute**
- The match against Benin Republic marked Messi’s last cap for Argentina.
- Maradona, a World Cup‑winning legend in 1986, later coached the national side before his death on 25 November 2020 at age 60.
- Messi highlighted Maradona’s influence both during his lifetime and, in his words, "from heaven."
- The Argentine legend’s achievements include lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy and shaping generations of players.
**Why the remembrance matters**
Maradona’s success in the 1980s gave Argentina a permanent place on the world football map, a legacy that Messi believes must remain alive for future generations.