Messi retires from international football: ‘Eternal’ star praised by peers

What the report says

Lionel Messi has retired from international football, prompting a wave of tributes from teammates, officials and public figures in Argentina and beyond. According to Al Jazeera, the 39-year-old said on Monday that ending his national-team career “still hurts deep down,” but that the time had come to step away after a long run with Argentina.

Messi leaves as Argentina’s all-time leader in appearances and goals, with 207 matches and 125 goals reported by the outlet. He debuted for the national team in 2005 and went on to become the face of a generation, helping Argentina win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and later reach the 2026 World Cup final in North America. Al Jazeera reported that the decision followed a difficult personal period after the death of his father, Jorge, last month.

Current and former teammates praised Messi’s influence both on and off the pitch. Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez each highlighted his leadership, consistency and impact on Argentina’s success. Outside the squad, Argentine President Javier Milei, football federation president Claudio Tapia and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino also saluted his career, describing him as a national icon and one of the sport’s greatest players.

The tributes reflect Messi’s unusual place in football history: a player whose achievements with Argentina were long debated before culminating in a World Cup title. More broadly, the reaction shows the cultural significance of his retirement, especially for Argentine fans who have followed him for nearly two decades.