Argentina president Javier Milei pays tribute to Messi, calls him an ‘impossible man’

“Thank you so much IMPOSSIBLE MAN…” Argentinian president praises Messi as famous footballer announces retirement Lionel Messi’s decision to end his international career has sparked emotional reactions in Argentina, with president Javier Milei among those paying tribute to the captain who produced some of the biggest moments in the country’s football history.Messi announced on Monday that he had decided to retire from international football after a period of reflection following Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The decision ended a remarkable international career that included six World Cups, 207 appearances and 125 goals for his country.

Javier Milei pays tribute to the Argentina captain

Argentine President Javier Milei was among the first celebrities to respond to Messi’s announcement.Milei, who shared a photo of supporters greeting the front on Instagram, wrote: “Muchas gracias HOMBRE IMPOSIBLE…!!!”The message roughly translates to: “Thank you so much, impossible man.Mileio’s tribute reflected the significance of Messi’s contribution to Argentine football, especially after the striker helped end years of disappointment with the national team.

Messi admitted that the decision was painful

Messi’s announcement came more than a month after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, a result that left the 39-year-old with yet another World Cup final defeat to add to his international story.The decision also came just weeks after Messi’s father Jorge Messi died in Rosario on August 8 at the age of 68, adding another deeply personal dimension to an already difficult period for the Argentina captain.Messi confirmed his international retirement through an emotional statement on Instagram, explaining that he had reached a point where he felt he had nothing left to give, while acknowledging that a younger generation had emerged in the national team.“After such a long time since the final match and after much thought, I want to announce to everyone that I have decided to stop playing for the national team,” Messi said.“It was a painful decision and it still hurts deeply, but I realize that the time has come.”

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) reacts after the World Cup soccer final match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

The Argentina captain stressed that his commitment to the national team has never wavered throughout his career, including years when major international success repeatedly eluded him.“I swear to you that I always gave everything I had, not only during the last years in which we achieved everything, but also before that, and I always fought and gave everything I had for this shirt to make you happy and to make you feel proud to be Argentine through football,” he added.Messi also acknowledged that the arrival of younger players helped convince him that the time was right to step back.“I’ve used up everything I’ve got and I’ve got nothing left to give in addition to the presence of a group of amazing young players who deserve to get their chance,” he said.

Messi’s Argentinian career ended up being a story of redemption

Messi’s relationship with the Argentine national team was not always defined by the success that ultimately came at the end of his career.The forward suffered several major disappointments with his country, including defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and losses in consecutive Copa América finals, before finally winning his first major senior international trophy at Copa América 2021.The triumph ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major international title and marked the start of an extraordinary era for Messi and his country.A year later, Messi captained Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar as they beat France on penalties after the thrilling final ended 3-3 after extra time.Messi scored twice in that final and converted a penalty during the shootout to help Argentina win the World Cup for the first time in 36 years and the third time in the country’s history.

FILE – Argentina’s Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after receiving the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player during a ceremony after Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final in Lusail, Qatar, December 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

He then helped Argentina retain the Copa América in 2024, before guiding the team to another World Cup final in 2026, where they were ultimately denied back-to-back titles by Spain.Despite this final defeat, Messi leaves international football having achieved almost everything he had with Argentina, including a World Cup, two Copa América titles and Olympic gold.

Messi leaves behind an extraordinary World Cup record

Messi’s longevity at international level is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that he appeared in six different World Cups between 2006 and 2026.Across all of those tournaments, he scored 21 goals in 34 games, placing him second in all-time World Cup scoring behind France captain Kylian Mbappé, who moved ahead of him with 22 goals.Messi had previously overtaken German legend Miroslav Klose before Mbappé eventually claimed the record.The 2026 tournament was another productive campaign for Messi individually, with the Argentina captain scoring eight goals and providing four assists.His performances included his first World Cup hat-trick, which came against Algeria during the tournament, further adding to the collection of records that grew throughout his international career.By the time he announced his retirement, Messi had also established himself as Argentina’s most capped player and top scorer with 207 appearances and 125 goals, according to figures accompanying his retirement announcement.He also finished as the top scorer in South American international football.

Messi will continue at Inter Miami

Although his international career is over, Messi has not announced his retirement from club football and will continue to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.The Argentine remains a central figure at the American club and underlined that status in spectacular fashion on August 30, scoring four goals and assisting Luis Suárez in Inter Miami’s 7-1 win over CF Montreal. Messi scored in the 40th, 52nd, 83rd and 90th+6. minute, completed his hat-trick with a chipped finish in the 83rd minute. The performance marked the 62nd hat-trick of his club career.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against CF Montreal, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami is currently fourth in the MLS standings with 42 points from 22 games, with 12 wins, six draws and four defeats, 10 points behind Nashville SC.However, a remarkable chapter has now closed for Argentina.