Argentine soccer icon Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football at age 39, prompting an outpouring of gratitude across Argentina.
Argentine soccer great Lionel Messi officially announced his retirement from international football on Monday, sharing the news on Instagram in what he called "a decision that hurts the soul." The 39-year-old superstar, who captained Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022 and another final appearance in 2026, stated that the death of his father in August after a long illness cemented his decision to bring his international career to an end.
Reactions poured in across Argentina following the announcement. In Buenos Aires' Belgrano neighbourhood, 18-year-old university student Francisca Mieth remarked, "It’s going to be difficult, but I’m super grateful for all the joy he gave us, as a country." Meanwhile, 36-year-old dog walker Jose Aramburu highlighted Messi's resilience, stating, "The most important thing that Messi gave us was the fact that he insisted, persisted and pursued a dream, a goal, an objective, without caring about what other people said."
Former teammate Angel Di Maria, who retired from international football in 2024, expressed his gratitude on social media, writing, "We're going to be grateful to you for our entire lives for being Argentine." Local media also marked the momentous departure, with newspaper La Nacion publishing the headline "The end of an era," while a psychologist on television channel TN urged that "no one should be burdened with the weight of being his replacement."
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Football. Photo courtesy The Hindu Football.