Messi will decide when he retires, says Argentina FA chief

What the report says

Lionel Messi’s future in international football is again drawing attention after Argentina Football Association president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia said the forward alone will decide when he retires. The comments, reported by Al Jazeera on the basis of an interview Tapia gave on Argentine television, come after renewed speculation about Messi’s career following recent major tournaments.

Tapia said Argentina should let Messi continue playing and enjoy the game before making any retirement decision. He pointed to Messi’s role in the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina reached the final in the United States before losing to Spain in extra time. Tapia praised Messi’s form and described him as the team’s leading figure during the tournament.

Messi, who turned 39 in June, has not publicly indicated when he plans to stop playing for Argentina or how long he will remain with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. The article notes that retirement rumours have followed him at previous World Cups as well, but the timing remains entirely his choice, according to Tapia.

The discussion also reflects the wider context of Messi’s long international career, which includes Argentina’s 2022 World Cup title. The report says Argentina’s next matches are scheduled for the September international window, with opponents still to be announced.