GOATbye: Leo whistled Messimerizing international career

File Pic – Argentina’s Lionel Messi kisses the trophy after winning the 2022 World Cup. (Photo by AP/PTI) It was morning in Miami and late evening in India when Lionel Messi’s announcement via an Instagram post flooded social media. After watching him light up our lives for two decades, the world suddenly felt strangely empty, unfamiliar. His great rival Cristiano Ronaldo must be feeling so lonely today.“After such a long time since the final (World Cup 2026) and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I am quitting the national team…”The post showed three handwritten pages in Spanish in which the Argentina captain confirmed he was leaving the Albiceleste.He added in a footnote: “I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened to my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 at a hospital in the central Argentine city of Rosario. He was 68.“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.

Lionel Messi in numbers

Messi is 39 and after two decades of watching him grace the hallowed blue and white striped shirt, many will bemoan his decision to go, but no one can dispute it.After six World Cups, winning the Qatar 2022 tournament and guiding Argentina to the finals in 2014 and 2026 – an incredible journey from prodigy to champion of the older beautiful game – he has captivated the world.For more than a decade, modern football has been defined by the transcendent rivalry between Messi and Portuguese superstar Cristiano, an era-defining battle that has overshadowed clubs, countries and competitions. It was incredible theater. It had to end sometime.Even in a life as sacred as his, such a difficult calling needs a real turning point. Exactly 10 years ago, after losing the 2016 Copa America final to Chile, Messi called it a day, frustrated with the world, cursed by Argentina’s fortunes and, somewhat incredibly, doubting his abilities.An outpouring of concern from his team, earnest pleas from his countrymen – and the rest of the world – forced a turnaround.His words were eloquent.

Lionel Messi in numbers

“On the night of the final, a lot of things flashed through my head and I seriously thought about quitting, but my love for my country and this shirt is too much. We have to fix many things in Argentine football, but I prefer to do it from the inside and not criticize from the outside.”However, things did not change immediately. Argentina’s World Cup debacle in Russia 2018, in which Messi further cut a lonely, isolated figure as first Luka Modric and then just 18-year-old Mbappe tore his team apart, only reinforced the sense that this would not be the case.But it was slowly changing. New coach, old teammate Lionel Scaloni structured the team around him, gave him the freedom, recognition and confidence he needed. All this with a bunch of adoring, talented players around him.A monumental Copa America triumph followed – beating Neymar’s Brazil 1-0 at the famous Maracana, the same venue where he first lost the final in 2014 – marking his first major international trophy.Qatar proved their true meridian, a series of dazzling, often otherworldly performances that earned them the World Cup winner’s medal they so richly deserved and eluded for so long. This sanctified his place in the pantheon.Also in America this summer, the top scorer in the history of South American football led Argentina to the final before young Spain proved unbeatable.Messi calls time as his country’s all-time top scorer and most played player.In 2016, Messi’s first announcement was born out of failures on the pitch and repeated questions about his loyalty to Argentina. But he just chipped away to finally turn things on their head. He was hit hard by the heartbreak of the 2014 Maracana final and a string of continental disappointments.In 2016, after hitting a penalty over the bar in the Copa America Centenario final against Chile, his call to quit international football was emotional and sudden.“I tried so hard to be a champion with Argentina. I couldn’t do it,” Messi regretted.

Lionel Messi for Argentina

But Argentina wasn’t ready to let him go. “No te vayas”—don’t go—became the wailing cry of a nation desperate to hold on to him.Messi gave himself a second chance.From prisoner of “dependency” – Argentina’s dependence on him – to bearer of the proverbial cross, Messi’s campaign “for the nine” has been littered with trophies.Usually reticent, unwilling to pour his heart out, Messi redefined himself at his last World Cup. After scoring his first World Cup hat-trick against Algeria to kick-start Argentina’s title defense, Messi opened up.“Everything I’m experiencing now is a bonus. I’ve been lucky enough to achieve all my dreams – or even more than I ever dreamed of achieving – both professionally and personally.”Two months in a row and heartbreak must have accelerated that lack of meaning and motivation. Not like the Prince of Denmark who sought revenge to restore order to a warped world. More like peace of mind, all passion spent.Of course, the football universe will be asking for more, but Messi’s personal loss may have called for a realignment. Argentina has to learn to live with it.