Messi international retirement reactions — World Cup teammates, FIFA President Infantino and others pays tribute

Lionel Messi’s final match for Argentina was last month’s FIFA World Cup summit clash in the USA in which the South Americans lost to Spain. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Tributes began to pour in soon after Argentine superstar Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday.

The 39-year-old Messi won two the Olympic gold, two Copa America title and the World Cup during his 21-year-long international career.

Argentine Football Association, and Messi’s teammates - Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul - were amongst the first ones who paid tribute to him through social media.

Here are the reactions to Messi’s retirement from international football:-

Argentina Football Association

Gracias eternas, Leo. Te vamos a amar hasta el final de nuestros días 🩵🤍🩵 pic.twitter.com/7VVV2doDZP

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) August 31, 2026

Leandro Paredes

Translation - Thank you for absolutely everything!!! You are and always will be the greatest of all! We love you, captain. | Photo Credit: Leandro Paredes/Instagram

Rodrigo De Paul

Translation - Your unconditional love for our country, your internal battles to never give up, your strength to always endure injustices, your leadership and human quality with every player who entered the grounds to make them feel good, the details with every worker of our team... Just thank you, the greatest of all time, thank you for making us so, so happy, you can’t imagine how many smiles you brought!! You are eternal | Photo Credit: Rodrigo De Paul/Instagram