Lionel Messi Retires From Argentina National Team
Lionel Messi announces retirement, Rodrigo De Paul and Himanta Biswa Sarma react

Lionel Messi, the 39-year-old Argentine football legend, has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team. The decision was made public through a social media post on Monday, in which Messi stated that he had thought about it for a long time and felt that the moment had arrived to step away from the national team.
Messi's retirement has led to emotional reactions from teammates, politicians, and football organisations. Among the first to react was Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who shared an emotional tribute to Messi on Instagram. De Paul praised Messi's leadership, strength, and love for Argentina, calling him 'the greatest of all time'.
Himanta Biswa Sarma, an Indian politician, also reacted to Messi's retirement, expressing his gratitude for the magic Messi brought to the football world. Sarma tweeted, 'An era ends. Thank you, Leo, for every bit of magic. What a privilege it has been to watch you play. Heartbroken like every fan today, and I know my entire family will feel it too. GOAT for life'.
Messi's retirement comes after a remarkable international career spanning more than two decades. He made his Argentina debut in 2005 and went on to become the country's record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer. During his career, Messi won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America with Argentina.
Messi's final appearance for Argentina came in the 2026 World Cup final, where Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain. He had written his retirement message on July 21, two days after the final, but decided to publish it later.
The FIFA World Cup also reacted to Messi's retirement, tweeting, 'Thank you, Leo. Gracias, Leo. #FIFAWorldCup'.
Messi's retirement marks the end of an era in Argentine football, and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come. His contributions to the sport have been immense, and his impact on the football world will be felt for a long time.
As news of Messi's retirement spreads, fans and players alike are paying tribute to the legendary footballer. His retirement is a significant moment in the world of football, and it will be interesting to see how his legacy continues to inspire future generations of footballers.
In conclusion, Lionel Messi's retirement from the Argentina national team is a significant moment in the world of football. His contributions to the sport have been immense, and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come. As the football world bids farewell to Messi's international career, fans and players alike will continue to celebrate his achievements and remember him as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
The impact of Messi's retirement will be felt for a long time, and it will be interesting to see how the Argentine national team performs in the future without their star player. However, one thing is certain - Messi's legacy will continue to inspire future generations of footballers, and his name will always be remembered as one of the greatest in the sport.
Messi's retirement is not just a loss for Argentine football but also for the football world as a whole. He has been an inspiration to millions of fans around the world, and his retirement marks the end of an era in football. However, his legacy will live on, and his contributions to the sport will never be forgotten.
In the coming days and weeks, fans and players will continue to pay tribute to Messi's legacy, and his retirement will be remembered as a significant moment in the world of football. As the football world moves on, one thing is certain - Lionel Messi's name will always be remembered as one of the greatest in the sport.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Lionel Messi retire from the Argentina national team?
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, stating that he had thought about it for a long time and felt that the moment had arrived to step away from the national team.
What are some of Lionel Messi's achievements in his international career?
Lionel Messi won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America with Argentina, and became the country's record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer.