Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the national team on Monday, August 31, causing a global sensation. Argentinian President Javier Milei paid tribute to Messi on social media, expressing his respect for the football icon. Argentinian fans also feel reluctant to say goodbye to this football legend.
President Milei shared a photo of Messi’s back view at the 2026 World Cup on Instagram with the caption: “Thank you very much! Extraordinary gentleman!”
Apart from the president, Argentinian fans have also expressed their sorrow and gratitude towards Messi. According to reports from Reuters, Carlos Sciata, an Argentinian fan, praised Messi’s unparalleled skills, comparing him to football legends like Diego Maradona and Mario Kempes. Sciata emphasized the dedication and sacrifices Messi made for the national team, describing his performance as exceptional and irreplaceable.
He highlighted Messi’s commitment to the team beyond the football field, mentioning his perseverance and passion both on and off the pitch. Despite reaching the age of 39 and participating in his final World Cup, Messi played with the energy and determination of a young player. Sciata concluded by stating that Argentinians should be grateful for Messi’s contributions and have nothing to complain about.
Martina Maschio, another Argentinian fan, admired Messi’s performance for the national team, acknowledging the dedication and resilience he showed throughout his career. She expressed deep gratitude towards Messi for representing Argentina with pride and continuously supporting the national team.
Nestor, an avid fan of Messi, described him as the greatest player and person, expressing sadness over his retirement from the national team. Nestor acknowledged that retirement at the peak of one’s career is inevitable and that despite missing Messi, his legacy will always be cherished by his fans for the joy and fulfillment he brought them.
Further, Francisca Mieth expressed immense gratitude for the happiness Messi brought to the country and believed that it was time for him to rest after giving his all for Argentina. Similarly, Jose Aramburu emphasized Messi’s relentless pursuit of his dreams and goals as his most significant legacy, highlighting the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving success.
In his official announcement on Instagram, Messi revealed the agonizing decision to retire from the national team, expressing the pain it caused him but understanding that the time had come. He pledged his continuous effort in wearing the Argentinian shirt, bringing joy to the fans, and making them proud to be Argentinian through football.