The day the soccer world knew was coming but still dreading has finally arrived: Lionel Messi's international career is over.
The Argentina legend announced his retirement from the international game on Monday, Aug. 31, ending an incredible run that lasted more than two decades.
Messi made the announcement just over a month after Argentina fell to Spain in the World Cup final. It was Messi's third World Cup final, with two (2014 and 2026) ending in defeat and one (2022) seeing him lift the trophy.
The 39-year-old has established himself as an all-time great through a career that has taken him from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain and now to Inter Miami, where he will continue playing.
But Messi's priority and heart has always been with Argentina,
the country he helped lead to two Copa América titles and its first World Cup since 1986.
The world of soccer was quick to react to Messi's bombshell announcement, with some of the game's most prominent figures paying tribute on social media.
Here are some of the reactions to Messi's international retirement, including many of his Argentina teammates.
🚨📲 De Paul on IG:
— MessiXtra (@MessiXtraHQ) August 31, 2026
"Your unconditional love for our country, and your internal battles so that you never surrender, and your strength to always endure injustice, and your leadership and great humanity with every player who entered the national team headquarters to feel at… pic.twitter.com/5hxA956sy8
🚨📲 Di Maria on IG:
— MessiXtra (@MessiXtraHQ) August 31, 2026
"We will remain grateful to you for our entire lives because you are Argentine, and because you raised the name of Argentina to the top of the world.
And because you chose to be Argentine at a time when you could have easily chosen another country.… pic.twitter.com/ipK311qQlu
🚨🗣️ Cuti Romero:
— MessiXtra (@MessiXtraHQ) August 31, 2026
"I love you, I admire you, and I will always be grateful to you for everything you left inside me, and for our country, thank you for everything, Leader." 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/j8LCou7Xfw
Milei en instagram para Messi pic.twitter.com/MJCW9AkeO2
— Esperme (@Espertma_) August 31, 2026
🚨📲 Giuliano Simeone IG:
— MessiXtra (@MessiXtraHQ) August 31, 2026
"Since I was a child, I watched you play and dreamed of one day being able to share the pitch with you.
Life gave me far more than I could have imagined: wearing the national team jersey, sharing the locker room with you, and playing alongside you in… pic.twitter.com/M5Al7L2L9h
🚨📲 Lisandro Martinez via IG:
— MessiXtra (@MessiXtraHQ) August 31, 2026
"A truly great sadness, no one ever prepares for things like this, but from the bottom of my heart: thank you!!
You are my role model, and everyone's. A winner in football and a winner in life!!
My daughter will be so proud that her father shared… pic.twitter.com/EjD98h2BTK
🚨📲 Xavi on IG:
— MessiXtra (@MessiXtraHQ) August 31, 2026
"Warmest congratulations, Leo!! You've achieved everything you wanted with your country!! Big hug, my friend! ♥️⚽🔝🙏 pic.twitter.com/pQGcXEg1dZ
🚨✉️ Enzo Fernández with a VERY EMOTIONAL letter dedicated to Leo Messi 🥹
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) August 31, 2026
"Leo, that time when you said you were leaving the national team, I was really sad.
"I was just a kid, and I used to compare your age with mine to see if one day I might get the chance to play with you.… pic.twitter.com/oLWCuLRVh8
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Soccer world reacts to Lionel Messi retiring from Argentina
