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By the twilight of Lionel Messi's international career, the Argentina men's national team had come to resemble more of a devoted following around one man than a collective national side.
The congregation of Messi worshippers had grown to encompass an ever-widening circle of international footballers. That devotion was openly encouraged by coach Lionel Scaloni, who built a squad of tireless workers to carry the load while Messi provided the decisive, brilliant touch. Against conventional thinking and the logic of the modern game, it turned out you could indeed win major honors with a player who contributed little defensively — provided that player was Messi.
After the flood of trophies that capped his Argentina career, it's easy to overlook just how grueling international football had been for Messi over the years. This is the same man who was red-carded on his debut and suffered defeat in five international finals. Messi had already walked away from Argentina duty — twice — after having his loyalty questioned by supporters back home in South America.
Yet through everything, Messi has never stopped taking pride in his roots. Despite leaving the country at age 13 and never settling back there permanently, Argentina's all-time record holder in appearances, goals and assists still speaks with a strong Rosario accent. He drinks mate and plays Truco.
The near-universal response to Messi's international retirement was one of deep appreciation: countless social media accounts lined up to express gratitude to the legend for his service in the blue and white. Yet Messi himself was also offering thanks: "Thank you, God, for making me Argentine."
Messi's Wife Antonela Roccuzzo Sends Her Own Message
With his late father no longer by his side, Messi has had to lean on the close family members still with him during this emotional chapter. His wife of nine years, Antonela Roccuzzo, had her own heartfelt words to share when the news was announced.
"I'm so proud to have been beside you on this journey and to watch you achieve every one of your dreams," she wrote. "You deserved this story and so much more. We love you endlessly."
Rodrigo De Paul Hails Messi's 'Immortality'
Inter Miami's Rodrigo De Paul roams the field with the dedication of a guardian in his role protecting Messi. The so-called 'bodyguard' revealed his softer side with a moving tribute acknowledging news he must have long anticipated: "Your unconditional love for our country, the battles you fought within yourself so you would never quit, the strength you showed through every injustice, your leadership, and above all, the warmth you showed to every player who joined the national team and instantly made them feel welcome.
"Your care, your gestures, and the small details you had for every single person in this squad... there are no words. Thank you, Leo. You are the greatest in history.
"Thank you for making us so, so happy. You can't imagine how many smiles you brought to our faces. You are immortal. Forever."
'Eternal Thanks' Paid by Argentina Teammates
The rest of Messi's international colleagues were perhaps less elaborate in their tributes, though the underlying feeling was identical. The common theme was unmistakable — Messi may be departing, but he will never be forgotten.
"Eternal thanks," both Ángel Di María and Nicolas Tagliafico wrote.
"Thank you for absolutely everything. You are and always will be the greatest of them all. We love you, Captain," Leandro Paredes added. "I love you, I admire you, and I will always be grateful for everything you gave for me and for our country. Eternal thanks, Captain," Cristian Romero echoed.
"Today, the player we all look up to is bidding farewell to the national team. Thank you so much," Giuliano Simeone wrote. "My daughter will be very proud that her father shared a team with such a remarkable human being," Lisandro Martínez added with great tenderness.
"Beyond everything you accomplished on the pitch, what I'll carry with me most is everything you taught us off it," Lautaro Martínez wrote, "Never to give up, to keep pushing after every setback, to work quietly and, above all, to always believe in ourselves."
Enzo Fernandez Winds the Clock Back 10 Years
Back in 2016, emotionally and physically drained by back-to-back Copa América final losses to Chile, Messi announced his first international retirement. Argentina collectively begged their captain to reconsider, including one teenager who wrote an emotional open letter pleading with his idol to return. That boy would grow up to become Enzo Fernández, who would go on to reach two World Cup finals alongside Messi. A decade later, there was no pleading in his response to this retirement.
"Leo, when you said you were leaving the national team back then, I was really heartbroken," Fernández wrote. "I was just a kid, and I used to calculate the age gap between us to figure out if I might ever get to play alongside you. It might sound silly, but I genuinely did it: I'd think about how many years you might have left and how long it would take me to reach the top flight, dreaming that — even just once — we might share the pitch wearing the Argentina shirt.
"Luckily, you came back.
"And life turned out to be far more beautiful than that kid could have ever dreamed. I didn't just get to play with you; we shared training camps, the dressing room, conversations, embraces, difficult moments, and unforgettable ones, and we ended up becoming world champions together.
"But above all, I will always be grateful for how you treated me from the moment I arrived. I came in hoping to share the field with my idol, but I found someone who made me feel like part of the group right from day one. You always had a kind word, a piece of advice, a hug, or simply a way of putting me at ease when I needed it most.
"I'll never forget that.
"It's hard for me to picture the next training camp without you — stepping onto the pitch and not seeing you ahead of me, wearing the number 10. I spent so many years seeing you there that it feels impossible to imagine it any other way.
"I was so lucky, Leo.
"That kid who used to run those calculations — never knowing if he'd make it in time — was so lucky.
"Thank you for the way you treated me, for everything you taught me, and for letting me share a piece of your story. We're going to miss you so much, Captain."
Messi Transcends Argentina Generations
The outpouring of admiration for Messi was not limited to the current generation of Argentine talent. Legendary defender Javier Zanetti was among the first from an earlier era to heap praise on his fellow countryman.
"He was a captain in every sense of the word," the retired international told DSports Radio. "He was one during the tough and difficult times; he represented us with that leadership and wore the captain's armband with immense pride.
"I don't know if he truly enjoyed this World Cup, given the family circumstances, which made everything very difficult. But he pushed on and tried to bring happiness to many people, especially his family. I think he managed to do that."