With just a few hours to go before the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain (10:00 p.m.), Lionel Messi sent his own message. The 39-year-old star, who by all accounts is set to make his final appearance with the “Albiceleste,” thanked his teammates for the journey and emphasized that regardless of tonight’s result, his team has made history.

“The most beautiful thing about all these years has never been just the titles, but the entire journey. Sharing our daily lives with this team, competing together, picking ourselves up again during the tough times, and enjoying every step of the way.

I thank each and every one of my teammates, the coaching staff, and all the wonderful people who work every day to keep this National Team together as a family. No matter what happens tomorrow, this team has already made history that I’ll never forget and that no one will ever be able to erase.

Vamos Argentina!”

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*photo source: AP