Song Honoring Lionel Messi at Argentina Farewell and Artist Behind It

After Lionel Messi's final match with Argentina, a heartfelt tribute celebrated his remarkable career. Following Argentina's 3-0 victory over Benin in Buenos Aires, a drone show illustrated Messi's journey with the national team. Then, a live musical performance took place before Messi addressed the crowd on the pitch.

The Performer: Soledad Pastorutti

The artist who performed was Soledad Pastorutti, a folk singer from Arequito, Santa Fe—the same province Messi hails from. Arequito lies just over an hour away from Messi's hometown of Rosario. At 45 years old, Pastorutti is renowned for her debut album Poncho al Viento, which remains Sony Music's best-selling album in Argentina.

She started her career at age 15, releasing that debut album in 1995. Over time, she has sold more than four million records and earned two Diamond Awards in Argentina. In 2014, Pastorutti won a Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album with Raiz. Her connection to Argentine football began at the 1998 World Cup in Madrid, when she accompanied the national team, creating a lifelong bond.

The Meaning Behind the Song "Brindis"

Soledad Pastorutti sang "Brindis" after Messi's last game representing Argentina. This song was originally written in 2005 as a tribute to Diego Maradona and has since become an anthem close to the Argentina national team's heart. Pastorutti had previously performed it during CONMEBOL's tribute event for Messi and the squad following their 2022 World Cup win.

Messi shared the song on social media when announcing his retirement and requested Pastorutti perform it again on the field right before his farewell speech.

Lyrics Highlights of "Brindis"

• Spanish: "Seguir siguiendo al corazón y coquetear con la intuición... Siempre voy detrás de lo que siento... Por esos días por venir, por este brindis para mí..."
• English Translation: "Keep following the heart and flirt with intuition... I always go after what I feel... For those days to come, for this toast to me..."

The song reflects themes of persistence, dreams, struggles, and hope—an emotional fit for Messi's farewell.