Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 1: Lionel Messi has retired from international football, weeks after Argentina’s World Cup final loss.
Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in North America. That defeat proved to be Messi’s last appearance for his country. On Monday, the Inter Miami forward confirmed he would not wear the Argentina shirt again.
A Familiar Crossroads for Messi
This is not Messi’s first retirement announcement. He first stepped away after Argentina’s 2016 Copa America final loss to Chile.
That decision came after Messi missed a crucial penalty in the shootout. Heartbroken, he vowed never to play for Argentina again.
Cristiano Ronaldo, his lifelong rival, reacted sympathetically at the time. Ronaldo urged fans and critics to understand Messi’s emotional decision.
“Messi has taken a tough decision, and people should understand,” Ronaldo told Mundo Deportivo. He added that missing a penalty does not make a player bad.
Ronaldo also expressed hope that Messi would reconsider his choice. “It hurts to see Messi in tears,” he said then.
Messi’s Redemption Arc
Messi did return, and his comeback exceeded all expectations. He won the Copa America in both 2021 and 2024.
His crowning achievement came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Argentina lifted the trophy, finally ending Messi’s long wait.
This time, however, another reversal appears highly unlikely for Messi. Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s own international future with Portugal remains unconfirmed.
Also Read: Curtain Falls on a Legend: Messi Bids Farewell to Argentina
