Bayer Leverkusen defender Facundo Medina has penned an emotional farewell message to Lionel Messi following the legend's retirement from international football. The 27-year-old Leverkusen star posted a heartfelt tribute to his former teammate on Instagram on Tuesday.
Medina, who moved from Olympique Marseille to Bayer Leverkusen three weeks after the World Cup final, wrote in German: "Danke für alles, Leo! Es fällt mir schwer, die richtigen Worte zu finden." He added: "Du warst, bist und wirst immer ein Vorbild sein, auf und neben dem Platz." The pair won the runner-up title with Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, but lost the final to Spain 0-1 after extra time. This was Messi's 207th and final international match.
Facundo Medina and Lionel Messi played a total of eleven matches together for Argentina. They won nine of these games, with one draw. Their only joint defeat was the World Cup final against Spain. Altogether, they shared the pitch for 417 minutes. Medina himself has earned 14 caps for his country so far.
A particular highlight of their partnership was the World Cup group stage match against Austria on July 19, 2026. In the 38th minute, Medina provided the assist for Messi's historic 17th World Cup goal, breaking Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals. In stoppage time, Messi then scored the 2-0 final goal. This assist and their shared time on the pitch forged Medina's special connection with the superstar.
While Medina processes his international experiences, Bayer Leverkusen is fully focused on the Bundesliga. The Werkself started the season with a defeat and currently sits in 13th place with 0 points from one game. The team has scored two goals but conceded three, resulting in a -1 goal difference. This leaves them three points behind leaders Bayern Munich in the title race.
The focus now shifts entirely to the next fixture. On September 5, Bayer Leverkusen hosts 9th-placed Union Berlin at the BayArena. This home game offers the chance to secure the first points of the season and end the negative start.
Facundo Medina has been a firm part of the Leverkusen defense since his move three weeks ago. The 27-year-old brings international experience and a winning mentality from the Argentine national team. His abilities in build-up play and his strength in duels are expected to bring more stability to Xabi Alonso's side.
The current Bundesliga standings show the defense is not yet functioning optimally. Conceding three goals in one match is too many. Medina's experience is meant to help here. His emotional message to Messi also reveals his character and appreciation for great role models, which is important for team cohesion.
The home match against Union Berlin on September 5 is the next opportunity for Medina and Bayer Leverkusen to show they have learned from the poor start. The Werkself aims to finally get points on the board in front of their own fans.
