‘Don’t retire yet’: Di María pleads with Lionel Messi after Argentina’s World Cup agony

Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after losing to Spain in the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) Ángel Di María has urged Lionel Messi not to retire from international football following Argentina’s heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, insisting the captain should continue to represent his country for “many more years” despite yet another painful end on football’s biggest stage.Spain claimed their second men’s World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time victory at the New York New Jersey Stadium after substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute. The defeat ended Argentina’s hopes of retaining the trophy they had won in Qatar four years earlier and immediately shifted attention towards Messi’s international future.At 39, Messi has yet to confirm whether he intends to continue playing for Argentina.

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While the 2026 tournament is widely expected to be his last World Cup, his future remains uncertain.Di María, who retired from international football after helping Argentina win the 2024 Copa América, believes there should be no pressure on his long-time team-mate to step down.

Di María wants Messi to continue playing

In an interview with TNT Sports, Di María said that Messi himself should decide when his international career ends.“Yes, Leo should continue as long as he wants,” said Di María. “I think it can go on for many years to come.The former Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica winger claimed that Messi’s performances during the World Cup showed that age has not diminished his influence much.“At 39, he’s proven he’s one of the best and still the best in history, with no ceiling.”Although Argentina ultimately fell short in the final, Messi once again carried much of the creative burden for Lionel Scaloni’s side during the tournament.He finished the World Cup with eight goals and four assists, leading Argentina back to their second consecutive finals after inspiring several decisive performances in the knockout rounds.

Heartbreak in the final does not define Argentina’s campaign

Argentina’s title defense ended after Torres capitalized in second-period extra time, shortly after Enzo Fernández was sent off in stoppage time in normal time following a second yellow card.Reduced to 10 men, Argentina were unable to find an equalizer as Spain’s control of possession eventually turned into the goal that decided the final.Despite the disappointment, Di María believes the campaign should be remembered for much more than the defeat in New Jersey.He singled out Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 semi-final win over England as one of the defining moments of the tournament.“The win over England was a great joy for all of Argentina and that was clear and it made me very happy,” he said.“I am forever grateful to everyone in the Argentina team.Reflecting on the team’s journey, Di María praised the resilience Scaloni’s players showed throughout the competition.“I suffered in every game, but the players found strength in themselves and that led them to victories.”“Sometimes you win the final and sometimes luck is not on your side, but they have raised the name of the national team high.The 38-year-old fighter even suggested that emotionally Argentina had already made a lasting memory before reaching the final.“For me the World Cup ended when Argentina beat England,” he said. “They have given the country indescribable joy.

Di María also backs Scaloni to continue

Messi is not the only senior figure whose future is being debated after the tournament.There has also been speculation over head coach Lionel Scaloni after Argentina narrowly missed out on World Cup qualification, but Di María is hopeful the manager will remain in charge of the next generation.“I hope it continues for the benefit of everyone because there is a good generation of young players looking for glory,” Di María said.“He’ll know what he wants, but I hope he stays.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni leaves the field after the World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Argentina’s squad still contains a mixture of experienced leaders and emerging talent capable of competing for future honours, making continuity an attractive option as preparations finally begin for the next major international cycle.

Messi has yet to reveal his next international decision

Messi has largely stayed out of the limelight since the final defeat and has not publicly addressed whether he intends to continue playing for Argentina.His immediate focus is expected to shift back to club soccer with Inter Miami as the MLS season continues, while another World Cup appears highly unlikely given his age.However, Copa América 2028 remains a real possibility should Messi decide to extend his international career.For Di María, the message is simple: as long as Messi continues the performances seen at the 2026 World Cup, there is no reason to put an artificial deadline on one of the greatest international careers football has ever seen.