Look at these two photos. The same man, the same jersey, two lifetimes apart.
On the left, an 18-year-old kid, wet hair, a shy gaze, the number 18 on his back. He had just arrived. The world still didn’t know what it had on its hands. Nor did he imagine everything that would come: the joys, yes, but also the blows, the tears, the nights when he thought about giving it up.
On the right, the 10. The beard, the wrinkles, the gaze of someone who has already seen it all. The man who carried a country for two decades, who lost and got back up a thousand times, who endured the cruelest criticism until he silenced it with glory.
Between one photo and the other, there is an entire lifetime. There are lost finals and a final won. There is crying at the Maracanã and another cry of happiness in Qatar. There are millions of children who were born knowing Messi existed, without knowing a world without him.
And the most beautiful thing: in both photos there is the same thing. The same love for that jersey. The same kid from Rosario who only wanted to play football.
Today he says goodbye to the World Cups. But these two images say it all: he was faithful until the end. He gave his entire life to the Albiceleste, from the first day to the last.
Thank you for being with us through an entire era, Leo. We watched you grow. We watched you win. We watched you cry. And we loved you in every version.
From 18 to 10: thank you for so much. 🐐🇦🇷