Fresh reports have claimed that Lionel Messi informed his Argentina teammates of his intention to retire from international football before Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain.
The Argentina captain was leading La Albiceleste in their bid to retain the World Cup title, but their hopes were dashed after Ferran Torres scored the winner in extra time to hand Spain a 1-0 victory in New Jersey.
Messi, who turned 39 during the tournament, was featuring in his sixth World Cup and is widely expected to have played at the competition for the final time. By the time the next edition comes around, the Inter Miami star will be 43 years old.
According to football pundit and journalist Yanina Latorre, Messi delivered an emotional farewell speech to his teammates in the dressing room before the final.
Latorre claimed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner informed the squad that his international career was coming to an end, prompting an emotional reaction from players and staff.
“I already told it on the radio. Nothing happened, it was Messi’s farewell speech in the locker room. The end of the Messi era with the national team, and everyone broke down,” she wrote on X.
“It was all very emotional and it’s logical, they’re human beings.”
Despite the reports, Messi has not officially announced his retirement from international football.
The Argentine legend enjoyed another outstanding World Cup campaign, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in eight matches as Lionel Scaloni’s side reached the final.
Messi leaves the tournament as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer, having registered 125 goals and 68 assists in 207 appearances for his country.
For now, uncertainty remains over whether the World Cup final defeat to Spain marked the final chapter of his remarkable international career.
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