With Lionel Messi, perhaps the greatest player of all time, is leaving the national team stage. He will no longer play for Argentina. This news has had a global impact.
Lionel Messi and Argentina—this chapter of his story has come to a close. The 2022 World Cup champion is ending his career with the South American national team at the age of 39. Here’s how international media are reacting:
Argentina
Clarín: “The end of an era.”
TyC Sports: “A global sensation: Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentine national team. ‘La Pulga’ published a letter in which he explained that he will no longer wear the ‘Albiceleste’ jersey and will henceforth be just one fan among many.”
Ole: “Thank you, Leo. You’re timeless. Messi bids farewell to the national team.”
Pagina12: “An era comes to an end. The star himself confirmed his retirement on social media. Over the course of 20 years, he won one World Cup and two Copa América titles. He also played in numerous finals and was the team’s undisputed hero.”
La Nación: “After the death of his father, Jorge, he had admitted that his body was no longer holding up as well as he’d like, and some teammates had also hinted in recent days that the end was near. (…) As it heads toward 2030, Argentina is entering a phase of renewal: Several eras are coming to an end, there is much to rebuild, and even Lionel Scaloni’s continued tenure beyond December is in question.”
Diario Uno (Mendoza): “Two milestones in Lionel Messi’s athletic career were recorded by hand. In December 2000, FC Barcelona wrote down its commitment to sign him on a paper napkin. He was 13 years old at the time. Today, at age 39, Lionel Messi himself announces his retirement from the Argentine national team in a handwritten message (…).”
Chile
La Tercera: “So is it really happening now? Lionel Messi announces one of the most important decisions of his career. He had already hinted at this before, following the losses to Chile in the 2015 Copa América final and the Copa América Centenario the following year, but now it seems to be final.”
Brazil
Folha de S. Paulo: “Messi’s career with Argentina began with a mistake and ended in glory.”
Portal R7: “He was the greatest genius to ever wear the Argentine jersey.”
United Kingdom
The Sun: “‘The right moment’: Lionel Messi leaves Argentina AGAIN—the legend releases an emotional statement following the tragic death of his father.”
Daily Mail: “Lionel Messi ends his career with the Argentine national team: The 39-year-old says goodbye after the World Cup final loss to Spain—just a few weeks after his father’s death.”
Independent: “Messi, perhaps the greatest player of all time, had hoped to lead his team to two consecutive tournament victories but suffered a 0–1 loss to Spain in extra time.”
Spain
Marca: “The soccer world mourns Leo Messi’s retirement from the Argentine national team. The star bid farewell to the national team on Monday with a moving letter, and soccer fans already miss him.”
As: “Lionel Messi says ‘adios’ to the Argentine national team.”
Sport: “The Rosario-born player has concluded, after careful consideration, that it is time to draw a line under an international career that has brought many joys but also disappointments—a career that, above all, leaves behind a lesson that transcends everything else: It is never too late to fight for your dreams.”
France
Le Figaro: “The 39-year-old Argentine legend has decided to end his career with the national team.”
L’Equipe: Lionel Messi will no longer wear the Argentine jersey. (…) His final tournament also lived up to his status.”
Italy
Gazzetta dello Sport: “Messi, a farewell letter.”
Corriere dello Sport: “Lionel Messi has made his decision: He will no longer play for the Argentine national team. His last game with the Albiceleste will remain the lost World Cup final in the U.S. against Spain.”
Corriere della Sera: “Messi: The Greatest’s Farewell to His National Team.”
