Argentina President Milei Leads Tributes as Lionel Messi Retires From International Football
Lionel Messi’s decision to end his international career has prompted an emotional reaction across Argentina, with President Javier Milei among those paying tribute to the captain who delivered some of the greatest moments in the country’s football history.
Messi announced on Monday that he had decided to retire from international football following a period of reflection after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. The decision brought an end to a remarkable international career spanning six World Cups, 207 appearances, and 125 goals for his country.
The announcement arrived just weeks after Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 in Rosario at the age of 68, adding a deeply personal dimension to an already difficult period for the Argentina captain.
President Milei Leads National Tributes
Argentina President Javier Milei was among the first prominent figures to respond to Messi’s announcement. Sharing a photograph of the forward greeting supporters on Instagram, Milei wrote: "Muchas gracias HOMBRE IMPOSIBLE...!!!" The message roughly translates to: "Thank you very much, impossible man."
Milei’s tribute reflected the significance of Messi’s contribution to Argentine football, particularly after the forward helped end years of disappointment with the national team.
Messi confirmed his international retirement through an emotional statement on Instagram, explaining that he had reached the point where he felt he had nothing more to give while also acknowledging the emergence of a younger generation within the national team.
"After all this time since the final match, and after long reflection, I want to announce to everyone that I have decided to retire from playing with the national team," Messi said. "It was a painful decision and it still hurts me deep down, but I realise that the time has come."
The Argentina captain stressed that his commitment to the national team had never wavered throughout his career, including during the years when major international success repeatedly eluded him. He added that he always gave everything he had to make supporters happy and proud to be Argentine through football.
A Career of Disappointment and Redemption
Messi’s relationship with the Argentina national team was not always defined by the success that eventually came towards the end of his career. The forward suffered several major disappointments with his country, including defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and losses in consecutive Copa América finals.
He finally won his first major senior international trophy at the 2021 Copa América, ending Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major international title. A year later, Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, beating France on penalties after a thrilling final finished 3-3 following extra time. Messi scored twice in that final and converted his penalty during the shootout, helping Argentina win the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.
He then helped Argentina retain the Copa América in 2024 before leading the team to another World Cup final in 2026, where Spain ultimately denied them back-to-back titles. Despite that final defeat, Messi leaves international football having achieved almost everything available to him with Argentina, including the World Cup, two Copa América titles, and Olympic gold.
An Unparalleled International Record
Messi's longevity at international level is illustrated by his appearances at six different World Cups between 2006 and 2026. Across those tournaments, he scored 21 goals in 34 appearances, placing him second on the all-time World Cup scoring list behind France captain Kylian Mbappé, who has 22 goals. Messi had previously overtaken Germany legend Miroslav Klose's tally before Mbappé claimed the record.
The 2026 tournament was another productive campaign for Messi individually, with the Argentina captain scoring eight goals and providing four assists. His performances included his first World Cup hat-trick, which came against Algeria.
By the time he announced his retirement, Messi had established himself as Argentina's most-capped player and leading goalscorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals. He also finishes as the highest-scoring player in South American international football.
Continuing Club Career with Inter Miami
Although his international career is over, Messi has not announced his retirement from club football and will continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. The Argentine remains a central figure for the American club and underlined that status on August 30, scoring four goals and providing an assist for Luis Suárez in Inter Miami’s 7-1 victory over CF Montréal.
Messi scored in the 40th, 52nd, 83rd, and 90+6th minutes of that match, completing his hat-trick with a chipped finish in the 83rd minute to mark the 62nd hat-trick of his club career.
Inter Miami currently sit fourth in the MLS standings with 42 points from 22 matches, having recorded 12 wins, six draws, and four defeats, leaving them 10 points behind Nashville SC. For Argentina, however, a remarkable international chapter has now closed.
