'Eternal': Football world mourns Lionel Messi's Argentina retirement

"I've emptied myself out, I don't have any more to give"... With those words, Lionel Messi – for many, the greatest footballer in history – announced on Monday his retirement from the Argentina national team after 21 years and four titles, among them the 2022 World Cup.

Tributes immediately began to flood in for the superstar skipper, who has left an indelible mark on the nation's footballing history.

Below are just some of the reactions to the farewell announcement from the 39-year-old known by some as 'La Pulga' ("the Flea").

 

Former national team-mates

Rodrigo De Paul, also a team-mate at Inter Miami:

"Your unconditional love for our country, your internal battles to never give up, your strength to always withstand the injustices, your leadership and human quality with every player who came into the training ground so they'd feel good, the little details with every worker at our federation... Just thank you, the greatest of all time, thank you for making us so, so happy, you have no idea how many smiles you brought out!! You're eternal."

Enzo Fernández:

"You always had a word, a piece of advice, a hug, or simply the way to make me feel calm when I needed it. I'm never going to forget that. Today it's hard for me to imagine the next training camp without you. Going out onto the pitch and not seeing you up front, wearing the number 10. It was so many years seeing you there that it seems impossible to think of it any other way. How lucky I was, Leo."

Leandro Paredes:

"Thank you for absolutely everything. You are and always will be the greatest of all. We love you, captain."

Cristian 'Cuti' Romero:

"I love you, I admire you and I will always be grateful for everything you gave up for me and for our country. Eternal thanks, captain."

Ángel Di María:

"How difficult it is to read that we won't see you again in light blue and white. I only know that I was born in the right century to be able to see you, enjoy you, and on top of that share all these years on the national team with you. To see you fulfil all your dreams, and the most wanted one, which was to become world champion. Today you decided to take that step that surely neither you nor all Argentines wanted to arrive. But it arrived, and today, as always, we're going to say thank you, thank you so much for everything. You're eternal and the best in all of HISTORY."

Gerónimo Rulli:

"Thank you for giving me the chance to get to know Leo, the human being. You're eternal. But not only for what you gave us as a player, but because you showed us the way of resilience, of hard work, of team spirit, and above all, of love for our country. We're going to miss you a lot."

Lisandro Martínez:

"It's an enormous sadness ... From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You're the greatest footballer in history."

Giovanni Lo Celso:

"Your legacy will be eternal ... We are blessed to have been able to share so many things alongside you. THANK YOU FOR SO MUCH, CAPTAIN, WE LOVE YOU."

Lautaro Martínez:

"Thank you for every piece of advice, every conversation, every training session, every hug and every moment shared. Thank you for making history with us and for allowing us to be part of your history. We're going to miss you enormously, captain. We will be eternally grateful to have been able to share this journey with you."

 

Football institutions

Argentina national team (official account):

"Eternal thanks, Leo. We are going to love you until the end of our days."

Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia, president of the AFA (Argentine Football Association):

"You made us believe in magic, Leo. And maybe that's why it's hard for us to accept that time passes for you too. El Predio [the AFA's training complex] bears your name because it's your home. The Argentina shirt is your flag. And our people's love for you is forever now."

Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA:

"Thank you for giving so much joy to millions of football fans. You retire from international football as a FIFA World Cup champion and as one of the best players our sport has ever had. I wish you all the best."

CONMEBOL (the South American Football Confederation):

"A very great story."

UEFA (European football's governing body):

"Historic national career."

Major League Soccer (MLS):

"21 years. 207 appearances. A legendary career with Argentina."

The Olympic Games (official account):

"Your legacy will be eternal .... We are blessed to have been able to share so many things alongside you. THANK YOU FOR SO MUCH, CAPTAIN, WE LOVE YOU." 

Newell's Old Boys, the club where Messi came through the youth ranks and of which he is a fan: "Thank you, Leo" in a social media post.

 

Family and others

Antonela Roccuzzo, wife:

"What pride it was to have been by your side on this journey and to see you fulfil all your dreams. You deserved this story and much more. We love you infinitely."

Javier Milei, president of Argentina:

"Thank you so much, impossible man."

Franco Colapinto, Argentine F1 driver:

"There are no words of thanks that will ever be enough... We are fortunate to have had you and enjoyed you for so long. Thank you for getting back up again and again and giving everything to make an entire country happy. You are the example for everyone."

Eduardo Sacheri, Argentine writer:

"What do you say to someone who is leaving, after having given you talent, joy, sacrifice, team spirit, dedication and humility for so many years? Thank you, Messi. Thank you for what went well, thank you for what went badly, thank you for being there, thank you for coming back. Thanks, pal. Thank you for everything."