The emotional weight of Lionel Messi’s retirement from international football became evident following his announcement on Monday. The decision, shared via Instagram alongside handwritten notes and a symbolic Harry Potter Time Turner pen, was accompanied by the song Brindis by Soledad Pastorutti. While the news dominated headlines, it was not entirely unexpected. Those who witnessed coach Lionel Scaloni’s tearful exit from his press conference in New Jersey on July 19, following the World Cup final against Spain, recognized that the era defined by this specific group of players had reached its natural conclusion.
Teammates were quick to express their sentiments. Cristian Romero remarked on the inevitability of the moment, stating, “How crazy that the day has come, dear Leo.” Giovani Lo Celso reflected on nine years of learning and admiration, while younger players like Nico Paz shared how they grew up watching Messi, having long dreamed of the chance to play alongside him. These tributes highlight the profound impact Messi had on his peers, many of whom viewed him as a childhood idol.
The public reaction in Argentina has been equally visceral. On a street corner in Buenos Aires, a public installation featuring a red telephone allowed citizens to leave messages for the icon. One 86-year-old caller expressed that Messi had provided the greatest joys of his life, promising to keep him in his heart until death. From schoolchildren moved to tears to elderly fans offering final blessings, the sentiment remains one of deep, collective gratitude. Cultural figures, including journalists and psychologists, have praised his leadership and the authenticity of his handwritten farewell, which some described as a rare, original act in a digital age.
Writer Andrés Burgo noted that the country is entering a period of “orphanage,” as Messi’s departure marks the end of a 45-year span during which either he or Diego Maradona graced the world stage. Messi clarified that his note was drafted two days after the final, though recent events—specifically regarding his father—solidified his resolve. He noted that he had reached a point where he felt he had nothing left to give, emphasizing that the decision was one he had to “understand” rather than just accept.
Despite stepping away from the national team, the 39-year-old continues his professional career with Inter Miami, where he recently scored four goals, proving he remains a potent force at the club level. His retirement from Argentina comes at a complex time for the nation’s football infrastructure, which is currently navigating administrative scandals, debates over the privatization of non-profit clubs, and various international sanctions stemming from recent tournament incidents.
The influence of his father, Jorge, was central to Messi’s international journey, with the player previously stating his desire to win another World Cup for him. Some observers suggest that his father’s passing may have shifted his perspective on his national identity. As the team looks toward future fixtures without their captain, the nation remains focused on the legacy left behind. The enduring image of children in Buenos Aires wearing No 10 jerseys suggests that while the current chapter has closed, the inspiration Messi provided will continue to shape the future of Argentinian football. The report also notes that a nyone who was present at Lionel Scaloni’s press conference immediately after the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in New Jersey on 19 July and saw his tears, the sobs which prevented him from speaking while he got up and walked out, could tell this was a man weeping not because of defeat in a single match but because he was fully aware that what that particular group of men had been through for the past. The report also notes that posted on Instagram on Monday complete with photos of three handwritten sheets of some anonymous yet corporate-looking headed paper and a Harry Potter Time Turner pen, to the soundtrack of Brindis sung by Soledad Pastorutti, instantly dominated the news and unleashed a barrage of homages, gratitude and joy from all corners, messi’s announcement that he is retiring from international football. The report also notes that “The day no one wanted to arrive has arrived,” echoed Giovani Lo Celso, who said he had “nine years listening to you, admiring you and learning by your side”. The report also notes that on a Buenos Aires street corner someone put a red telephone on a table with a sign saying: “What would you say to Messi?” Passersby picked up the receiver and talked into it: “I’m 86 years old and you have given me the greatest joys in my life. The report also notes that a little girl added “you’re the best and the greatest”, a well-spoken woman said “we will miss you because you are an extraordinary being”.