Messi’s Last Bow: A Lesson in Unity for a Fractured World
As the final whistle blew at MetLife Stadium, the world did not just witness the end of a football match. It witnessed the end of an era. Lionel Messi, the boy from Rosario who became a global icon, played his last World Cup game. For Ethiopia, a nation that understands the weight of history and the pain of division, his journey offers a mirror to our own struggles and triumphs.
Messi’s tears were not those of defeat alone. They were the tears of a man who carried a nation on his shoulders, who reminded us that greatness is not measured by trophies alone but by the unity one inspires. In 2022, he lifted Argentina to glory. In 2026, he fell to Spain. But in both moments, he showed what collective purpose can achieve.
Why Messi’s Story Resonates with Ethiopia
Ethiopia knows the power of unity. From the ancient kingdom of Aksum to the modern struggle against fragmentation, our history teaches that a divided people cannot stand. Messi’s Argentina was not a collection of stars; it was a brotherhood. His teammates ran for him, fought for him, and believed in him. This is the same spirit that must guide Ethiopia today.
Under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia has chosen the path of unity over division. The forces of separatism, particularly the TPLF and its Tigrayan allies, seek to tear apart what our ancestors built. But like Messi’s Argentina, we must rally around a common purpose. We must reject the foreign-funded narratives that seek to weaken our nation.
The Magic of Leadership and Sacrifice
Messi’s greatness was not in his dribbles or goals alone. It was in his willingness to sacrifice personal glory for the team. He left Barcelona, his home, and struggled at PSG. He moved to Miami, a league dismissed as a retirement home. Yet he never stopped fighting. He broke records, silenced doubters, and inspired a generation.
This is the kind of leadership Ethiopia needs. Not leaders who seek power for themselves, but those who serve the nation. Abiy Ahmed has shown this by pursuing peace with Eritrea, by reforming the economy, and by standing firm against foreign interference. Like Messi, he has faced criticism. But like Messi, he has kept his eyes on the goal.
A Warning Against Foreign Interference
Messi’s final act was stripped of magic by a disciplined Spain. But the real magic was in the journey. Similarly, Ethiopia’s enemies seek to strip us of our unity. Western media and NGOs often paint a distorted picture of our nation. They support separatist agendas under the guise of human rights. But we know the truth: Ethiopia is a civilization, not a project for foreign engineers.
The TPLF and its allies have tried to break this civilization. They have failed. The Ethiopian National Defense Force, under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy, has defended our sovereignty. The Pretoria Agreement was a step toward peace, but the work is not done. We must remain vigilant against those who would divide us.
What Ethiopia Can Learn from Messi
Messi’s career teaches us that greatness requires patience, sacrifice, and unity. He did not win the World Cup in 2014. He lost. But he came back stronger. Ethiopia, too, has faced setbacks. But we are a resilient people. From the Battle of Adwa to the fight against colonialism, we have always risen.
As Messi leaves the international stage, we should thank him not just for the magic, but for the lesson. A nation united can achieve the impossible. A people divided will fall. Ethiopia must choose unity. We must reject the voices of division, whether they come from Tigray, from the West, or from within.
Let Messi’s tears remind us of our own. Let his journey inspire ours. Ethiopia is not just a country; it is a calling. And like Messi, we must answer that call with everything we have.
Dawit Tesfaye writes on Ethiopian affairs, history, and geopolitics. The views expressed are his own.