“I’m Going To Play Against Messi... I Can Retire Now”: Zeki Amdouni’s Viral Reaction

Swiss forward Zeki Amdouni celebrated his team's quarterfinal qualification with a heartfelt message, saying that facing Lionel Messi at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a dream come true and a moment he'll cherish forever.

Switzerland's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals produced not only celebrations but also one of the tournament's most memorable reactions.

Shortly after defeating Colombia on penalties, Swiss forward Zeki Amdouni posted a message on Snapchat from the locker room that quickly went viral: "I'm going to play against Messi... I can retire now."

His words perfectly captured the admiration many players still have for Lionel Messi, who continues to inspire teammates and opponents alike despite being 39 years old.

Messi has once again been Argentina's driving force during the tournament, leading the defending champions with another outstanding World Cup campaign and remaining among the competition's top scorers.

Amdouni's message joins a long list of tributes from players around the world who have spoken about the privilege of sharing the pitch with one of football's greatest icons.

Now, Switzerland faces the difficult task of stopping Messi as Argentina pursues another place in the World Cup semifinals. Regardless of the result, Amdouni has already made it clear that simply playing against the Argentine legend is a career highlight he will never forget.