Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest careers the game has ever seen.
The Argentina and Barcelona icon said he had given everything to the national team and now believes the time has come to step aside, with a new generation of players ready to take his place.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” Messi said.
“I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team.
“I've given it my all, I have nothing left to give.”
Messi's international career has included a World Cup triumph and two Copa America titles, while he became Argentina's record goalscorer and one of the most decorated players in football history.
But while his achievements with Argentina will define his legacy, Rangers supporters will also remember a much earlier chapter in his career, and one of the most famous criticisms ever aimed at the club.
He will continue his club career in the United States with MLS side Inter Miami.
Messi's 'anti-football' rant
In October 2007, a 20-year-old Messi arrived at Ibrox with Barcelona for a Champions League group-stage meeting.
Walter Smith's Rangers were faced with the unenviable task of containing a Barcelona side featuring Messi, Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry.
They succeeded. Rangers earned a 0-0 draw after a disciplined defensive performance, frustrating the Catalan giants for 90 minutes.
Messi was furious afterwards. “It's incredible. Rangers didn't want to play football. They practised anti-football from the first minute,” he said famously.
The future eight-time Ballon d'Or winner admitted Barcelona had created chances but complained about Rangers' approach and their ability to close down the game.
Rangers manager Smith defended his side's tactics, pointing out that they had been facing one of the world's best teams and had managed to restrict Barcelona to relatively few clear opportunities.
Messi later changed his tune
Interestingly, Messi's criticism did not last long. Ahead of the return fixture at Camp Nou two weeks later, the Barcelona star attempted to clarify his comments.
That was a significant change in tone from his initial reaction at Ibrox.
By then, Rangers had earned seven points from their opening three Champions League matches and were proving they could compete with Europe's elite.
The return in Barcelona ultimately went differently. Rangers lost 2-0, with Thierry Henry and Messi scoring, although Allan McGregor produced several impressive saves to prevent a heavier defeat while Nacho Novo stung the palms of Victor Valdes at the other end.
Rangers once tried to sign Messi
There is another remarkable Rangers-Messi connection. Ex-Ibrox boss Alex McLeish has previously revealed that Rangers actually explored the possibility of bringing the teenage Messi to Scotland.
McLeish said his son Jon, then heavily involved in video game Championship Manager, repeatedly told him that Messi was destined to become the best player in the world.
Rangers subsequently made enquiries about taking Messi on loan from Barcelona.
The answer was emphatic. “No chance,” was the response from Barcelona, according to McLeish's recollection.
Barcelona did, however, reportedly put forward another young midfielder as a potential loan option: Andres Iniesta.
That move also failed to materialise after Iniesta impressed for Barcelona and became increasingly important to the first team.
So, as Messi closes the international chapter of his extraordinary career, Rangers supporters can look back on one of football's great what-ifs.
The club not only frustrated Messi on a Champions League night at Ibrox, they also reportedly asked whether the teenage superstar could spend time in Glasgow.
Barcelona said no. The rest, of course, is history.
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