Messi says he is retiring from the international football in a dramatic news that has rattled the world of football especially after the forward was widely considered to be the best player in the world. Now playing for Paris Saint-Germain, the 37-year-old Argentine superstar announced his retirement from international football following Argentina’s exit from the ongoing 2024 Copa America tournament after a long 18 years of service to his country.
Messi’s decision is coming at a time when only two years ago he was instrumental in taking Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar an achievement most believed was supposed to be the last for the Argentine genius. However, the tiny forward had the incentives to carry on playing for his country because they wanted to successfully defend the Copa America title. Failure in the semi-finals to Brazil seems to have influenced Messi to decide to retire from the football tournament.
Messi said: ‘I am really grateful to all the fans, teammates, and coaching staff for the support during my time within the national team.’ “It is the time to leave,” Messi added, choking with his emotions and almost whispering. ”I have dedicated so much to this shirt, and I go out a dignified man, because I was able to achieve my life goal of taking the World Cup trophy to my country, Argentina.”
Lionel Messi has been a sensational footballer from Argentina’s national team, if one from any other country. He started his Argentina playing in 2005, he was 18 then and went on play 174 times for his country becoming the most capped Argentinian, while also scoring 104 goals and becoming the highest scoring Argentinian in international football. With the national team there are Copa America 2021 and the pinnacle achievement of the World Cup 2022.
Now Controller has waded into Messi’s retirement news as the football world rejoices over the latest development. Executives, former teammates, rivals, and coaches have also joined the ranks of those paying tributes to the Argentine maestro on social media platforms. Former rivals of the said footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, expressed the following messages: “the game loses a bit of its magic today.” More so, I would like to take this opportunity and congratulate you for an outstanding international career, Leo.
Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina’s coach, who had intended to persuade Messi to go until the 2026 World Cup, also echoed the feelings but compliance. It is the most deserving assertion because Leo has invested his entire soul in this team and country. We have to accept it and just enjoy the fantastic moments he offered for us,” said Scaloni during the press conference.
The retirement is something which effectively signifying the end of an Argentine Football era. This man has been the face for the national team for more than ten years now while millions pin their hopes on him. It has been a roller coaster journey with the Albiceleste considering he featured in the team that lost the world cup final in 2014 to winning the same trophy in 2022.
That action of Messi is likely to have major impact on the Argentine national team’s future and current performances. The task of finding a standby for someone of his ability can be highly unenviable, and it will be up to the new generation of Argentina’s stars to arise to the occasion left open by their captain.
Even though Messi played his last game for Argentina in the Qatar controversy, he remains an entertainer for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. This switch to the United States last year will have gone a long way in influencing the manner in which the league will operate, more so, with the attention that soccer has received and the growth of soccer in North America.
While many fans and experts celebrate Messi and his decision to end his international service, it is already possible to analyze his career. Some people do not agree with this statement for this reason many claimed the 2022 world cup title as the last piece that ascend him as the greatest player of all time and that critics where wrong to dub him for lack of major international title.
Comparing Messi’s retirement to that of other famous football players, another aspect to be discussed on is the off field influence. He was always role model for young players for football across the globe and people loved to follow his style and techniques. With his simple disposition to life and talent the great player has become a Yeoman when it comes to football player role models.
In the future, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has signaled the plans to organize a series of matches in which Messi would be honored for the services to the national team. These games will give fans yet one more chance to see their hero wearing the legendary blue and white strips.
While the football enthusiasts are mourning the last ‘good night’ by Messi for his international team, it is all about thanking him for giving so many unforgettable moments. Whether it was through his tTouches or goal scoring prowess, many Ow Messi’s displays in Argentina’s colours have become legends in football.
Even though his withdrawal means the obvious end to his career in the national team, Messi’s performance will remain a role model for the generations of the Argentine football team. When he said his goodbyes to the international football he will be a World Cup champion, a celebrity in his home country, and inarguably one of the most talented footballers in history.