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Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, bringing to a close more than two decades of extraordinary service to Argentina, including a second straight appearance in the World Cup final this past summer.
The 39-year-old icon was met with an overwhelming wave of admiration and appreciation from the global soccer community following his announcement. Above all else, the prevailing sentiment was one of thankfulness — for breathtaking performances, timeless memories, and years of instilling hope in an entire nation.
David Beckham, a close friend and associate of Messi, was equally eager to express his heartfelt appreciation.
"This is the moment we get to look back on and realize how grateful we were to witness the greatness of a young kid with a dream," the 51-year-old former England skipper wrote on social media Monday evening.
"Leo, you have been a credit to yourself, your family, your friends and your country. Leading by example and creating inspiration for millions of children not just in Argentina but around the whole world.
"Leo you delivered the greatest gift to your country and for that your legacy will live forever. Congratulations on all you achieved for Argentina."
Argentina came up short at the 2026 World Cup, falling to Spain 1–0 in the final. Nevertheless, Messi had already guided his country to international glory in 2022, securing Argentina's first World Cup title since 1986.
Timeline of Lionel Messi, David Beckham Relationship
Messi and Beckham's paths crossed on a few occasions as players, most memorably during the 2013 UEFA Champions League. Messi's Barcelona squared off against Beckham's Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals, with Barça advancing on away goals after the tie finished level on aggregate.
Their relationship truly began to flourish in September 2019, however — a year after Inter Miami was established and a year before the club took to the pitch. Beckham and co-owner Jorge Mas traveled to Barcelona for a confidential meeting with Messi's late father and agent, Jorge, to discuss the possibility of Messi joining the South Florida franchise at some point down the road.
Four years on, Beckham's vision became reality as Messi arrived in the sweltering Miami sunshine. Since his MLS debut in 2023, the soccer icon has elevated Beckham's club to remarkable new heights, deepening his bond with the co-owner along the way. Miami claimed the Leagues Cup that year, then added the 2024 Supporters' Shield and the 2025 MLS Cup to their trophy cabinet. Messi also claimed back-to-back MLS MVP honors in 2024 and 2025.
While Messi has drawn the curtain on his international career with Argentina, he recently put pen to paper on a new deal with Miami, keeping him at the club through the 2027–28 season. The contract also came with a substantial pay increase, with Messi earning a league-leading base salary of $25 million and guaranteed compensation of $28.3 million.
In reality, Messi takes home considerably more. Inter Miami pay him between $70 and $80 million per year, according to club owner Jorge Mas. That figure makes the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup champion the second-highest-paid player on the planet, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo's estimated $230 million on-field earnings at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
When Messi eventually hangs up his boots for good, his partnership with Beckham is only set to deepen. The Argentine's contract with Inter Miami includes an ownership stake that he can activate upon retirement, which would see the two men become front-office partners. Together, they would shape the club's future direction and growth — something Messi's presence alone has already played a pivotal role in driving.