Mark van Bommel: ‘I am happy I played with Lionel Messi’

Former Barcelona player and current Belgium manager Mark van Bommel says he is happy to have shared the pitch with Lionel Messi as the Argentina captain prepares to leave international football.

Messi, 39, previously announced his retirement from the Argentina national team. However, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia later persuaded him to play a farewell match.

Messi is expected to make his final appearance for Argentina on 7 October, when they face Benin in a friendly. Kick-off is scheduled for 02:00 Moscow time.