Football has paused to say farewell. Lionel Messi’s Argentina teammates, friends and rivals have come together in a wave of heartfelt tributes after the Argentine captain confirmed the end of his international career — a career that spanned 21 years, 207 caps and 125 goals, and delivered the one prize that had eluded him for so long: the World Cup.
The 39-year-old announced on Monday that he was hanging up his Argentina shirt for good, bringing to a close a story that began with an 18-year-old debutant in 2005 and ended with a man revered as the greatest to ever kick a football.
In between came a record eight Ballon d’Ors, World Cup glory in 2022, and a run to this year’s final that showed even at 39, the magic had not entirely faded. He retires as the second-highest male goalscorer in international history, behind only his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, and will continue playing club football for Inter Miami.
But it was the reaction from those who shared a dressing room with him that captured just how deeply Messi’s presence will be missed.
Angel Di Maria, who lifted the World Cup alongside him in Qatar, struggled to put the moment into words. “All I know is that I was born in the right century to be able to witness you play, relish your performances and, on top of that, share all those years with you in the national team. To see you fulfil your dreams, and your greatest dream of all – to become world champion. Thank you so much for everything; you’re a legend and the greatest of all time.”
Rodrigo De Paul, another World Cup winner, spoke not just of Messi’s brilliance on the pitch but of the man behind it.
“Your unconditional love for our country, your inner struggles to never give up, your strength in always enduring injustice, your leadership and kindness towards every player who stepped onto the training ground to make them feel at home, the little gestures you showed to every member of our national team’s staff,” he wrote.
For the younger generation who grew up idolising Messi before playing alongside him, the news landed with a particular weight. Enzo Fernandez, who has known no Argentina side without Messi at its heart, admitted the reality still felt hard to grasp.
“How lucky I was, Leo… thank you for treating me the way you did, for everything you taught me and for letting me be part of your story. We’re going to miss you so much, captain.”
Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, reached for near-mythical language to describe Messi’s impact on the nation.
“The captain of our dreams,” he called him. “That kid, ‘La Pulga’ (The Flea), that alien who made possible what so often seemed impossible… You are already a legend of this land, of our national team and of world football. You made us believe in magic. And perhaps that’s why we find it hard to accept that time marches on for you too. The Argentina national team shirt is your flag. And our people’s love for you will last forever.”
Lautaro Martinez, said there simply weren’t ‘enough words’ to express his gratitude. “Beyond everything you achieved on the pitch, what stays with me is everything you taught us off it: never to give up, to keep trying after every setback, to work quietly and, above all, to always believe in ourselves,” Martinez said.
The tributes stretched well beyond the Argentina squad. FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised Messi’s ‘glittering career,’ noting the Argentinian had brought so much joy to millions of fans worldwide.
“You are retiring from international football as a FIFA World Cup champion and as one of the greatest players our sport has ever seen. I wish you all the best,” Infantino said.
One of Messi’s closest friends and football legend Luis Suarez reposted Messi’s retirement letter on his Instagram story and felicitated him.
Messi’s long-term admirer and Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho feels global events would not be the same without the mercurial number 10.
“Congratulations on a brilliant and unforgettable international career. The next Copa America and the next World Cup won’t be the same,” said Mourinho.
Former England captain David Beckham has had a close-up view of Messi’s career as an opponent and now as co-owner of the forward’s current side Inter Miami.
“Leo, you delivered the greatest gift to your country and, for that, your legacy will live forever. Congratulations on all you achieved for Argentina,” Beckham wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.
Even Argentina’s Formula One driver Franco Colapinto, who races for Alpine, took a moment to acknowledge Messi’s influence far beyond football.
“We are lucky to have had you and enjoyed watching you play for so long,” he said. “Thank you for getting back up time and time again and giving everything to make an entire country happy. You are an example to all of us.”
Perhaps the most tender words came from Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, who has stood by his side through every high and low of his extraordinary career. “What a privilege to have been by your side on this journey and to see you fulfil all your dreams,” she said. “You deserved this story and so much more. We love you infinitely.”
As Argentina comes to terms with life after Messi in the sky blue and white, one thing is clear from every tribute paid: this was never just about goals, trophies or records. It was about a man who, for two decades, carried a nation’s hopes on his shoulders — and somehow made it look like magic.
