Argentina’s Lionel Messi is thrown within the air in celebration by teammates as Argentina qualify for the quarterfinals of the World Cup on July 7, 2026
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Lionel Messi on Monday (August 31, 2026) introduced his retirement from international football, resulting in an outpouring of tribute and farewell messages to the soccer legend who is usually known as the GOAT (Best of All Time).
The 39-year-old Argentina footballer, who captained his group to World Cup glory in 2022 and one other last in 2026, made the announcement on Instagram, describing it as “a call that hurts the soul.”
Reactions to Messi’s retirement
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and fellow Argentinian gamers are amongst those that have devoted glowing tributes to the sporting icon. Right here’s a have a look at the reactions to Messi’s retirement:
FIFA president Gianni Infantino thanked Messi for bringing a lot pleasure to thousands and thousands of soccer followers. “You might be retiring from worldwide soccer as a FIFA World Cup champion and as one of many biggest gamers our sport has ever seen. I want you all the most effective,” he mentioned.
Former Argentina ahead Angel Di Maria too paid a heartfelt tribute. “It’s so onerous to learn that you just’re retiring; we gained’t be seeing you sporting the sky blue and white colors anymore. All I do know is that I used to be born in the precise century to have the ability to witness you play, relish your performances and, on high of that, share all these years with you within the nationwide group. To see you fulfill your desires, and your biggest dream of all – to grow to be world champion. Thanks a lot for all the pieces; you’re a legend and the best of all time.”
In Pictures | Defining moments of Lionel Messi’s Argentina career
2005: Messi’s worldwide debut ends in a crimson card towards Hungary.
2006: Lionel Messi scores his first World Cup aim towards Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, June 16, 2006.
2010: Lionel Messi performs the 2010 FIFA World Cup beneath head coach and legend Diego Maradona in South Africa
2014: Messi leads Argentina to the World Cup last in Brazil, however Germany deny them the trophy.
2016: After dropping consecutive Copa America finals to Chile, Messi briefly retires from worldwide soccer, solely to return months later
2018: Lionel Messi scores towards Nigeria on the World Cup in Russia, however Argentina goes right down to eventual winner France
2021: Lionel Messi wins his first main worldwide trophy, profitable the Copa America in Brazil
2022: Messi leads Argentina to a different World Cup last, this time in Qatar, the place the group defeats France on penalties. Messi lastly lifts the World Cup
2026: At practically 39, Messi stars at his record-equalling sixth World Cup, scoring eight objectives in 5 video games as Argentina attain one other last. The group is completely outclassed by Spain, and that may be Messi’s last sport for his nation.
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Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez additionally thanked Messi, whereas including that it might be to think about the following coaching camp with out the captain. “Stepping onto the pitch and never seeing you up entrance, sporting the quantity 10. I’ve spent so a few years seeing you there that it appears unattainable to think about it some other means.
“How fortunate I used to be, Leo… thanks for treating me the way in which you probably did, for all the pieces you taught me and for letting me be a part of your story. We’re going to overlook you a lot, captain.”
Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cups: A visual story of his goals
The Argentine Soccer Affiliation posted on social media: “Thanks for giving us essentially the most lovely journey of our lives. Your legacy and professionalism will stay ceaselessly etched in our hearts. Thanks, Captain. We love you.”
Not simply the gamers, Argentina president Javier Milei too joined in paying tribute to Messi. He shared a photograph of the soccer legend on Instagram with the caption ‘Muchas gracias HOMBRE IMPOSIBLE’ (which roughly interprets to Thanks very a lot unattainable man).
Argentine F1 driver Franco Colapinto too thanked the soccer legend, whereas additionally sharing images with Messi.
Messi’s spouse Antonela Roccuzzo additionally put out an emotional publish on Instagram, stating that she is happy with his journey and all the pieces he has overcome. Antonela added, “What a privilege it has been to expertise all of this by your facet.”
One of the vital fashionable faces of the sport globally, Messi instructions a legion of followers even in India and can be dearly missed. Social media is flooded with emotional feedback by followers who’ve been sharing footage and movies of the legend’s triumphant moments from the sector.
Messi’s legendary soccer journey
The file eight-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves as a World Cup winner and twice Copa America champion. Messi stepped out of Diego Maradona’s immense shadow to create an Argentine legacy solely his personal.
After years of disappointment with Argentina, together with defeat within the 2014 World Cup last and successive Copa America finals, Messi gained his first main worldwide trophy on the 2021 Copa America.
Messi then led Argentina to World Cup glory by profitable the 2022 last towards France in a penalty shootout in Doha. The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain ahead, who now performs for Inter Miami, added one other Copa America title in 2024. However his facet misplaced 1-0 to Spain within the 2026 World Cup last. Messi, who made his Argentina debut in 2005, scored 125 objectives from 207 appearances for his nation.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Revealed – September 01, 2026 01:18 pm IST
