Argentine Football Legend Lionel Messi's National Team Career Has Ended
Following Argentine footballer Lionel Messi's retirement from the national team, sports press and journalism federations evaluated his career.
Argentine football legend Lionel Messi's farewell to his national team career was evaluated by the international sports press and federations as the closing of a historic era.
Farewell Messages from the Sports Press
The Argentine Federation of Sports Journalists (FAPED) stated in a release that Lionel Messi was not merely an extraordinary player.
The statement expressed that Messi transformed every match he played in the national jersey over a period of more than 20 years into a global event.
The Closing of a Historic Era
AIPS America President Carlos Julio Castellanos emphasized that this departure was not just the exit of a footballer.
It was articulated that this departure marked the closure of an era that transformed Argentine, South American, and world football.
Historic Records Broken
Messi managed to top critical statistics in the Argentine jersey over a span of 21 years.
Playing a total of 207 matches to become the most capped player, Messi became the all-time leader with 125 goals and 68 assists.
World Cup Record
The star footballer set an absolute record in tournament history by playing 34 matches in FIFA World Cup finals.
These statistics permanently cemented his place in tournament history.
Challenges and Return
It was expressed that behind the numbers lies a profound story containing disappointment, tears, and great perseverance.
Following losses in the 2014 World Cup final and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals, he had announced his retirement in 2016 but later returned.
Achievements Reaching the Peak
Experiencing a championship at the 2021 Copa América under the guidance of Lionel Scaloni, Messi won the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Achieving another continental championship in 2024, the player carried his career to its peak.
Final Award and Honor
Messi was chosen as the best player in the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) voting at the 2026 World Cup.
Receiving 1179 points in the voting, Messi left behind his rivals Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham.