Lionel Messi’s announcement of his withdrawal from the Argentine national team has provoked a wave of reactions in his country, including those of President Javier Milei, former President Mauricio Macri and Secretary of Tourism, Environment and Sports, Daniel Scioli.
Milei dedicated a message to the Argentine captain after he confirmed the end of his career with Albiceleste and chose an expression he had already used earlier to describe the footballer's ability.
“Thank you, impossible man,” he wrote on his Instagram profile alongside a photo of Messi in Argentina’s number 10 t-shirt during the past World Cup.
The Argentine president also appealed to X to share a video from a 2018 interview in which he spoke about Lionel Messi’s ability to do things that seemed impossible within a pitch.
In that conversation, Milei had defined the footballer as “impossible,” a description related to his talent and the actions he was able to perform during the matches.
The president had previously qualified Messi as the best footballer of all time, so his message after the announcement of the retirement represents a new recognition to the international career of the forward.
Former President Mauricio Macri joined the messages addressed to Inter Miami's forward and highlighted the values that, in his opinion, represent the Argentine captain's career.
Macri described Messi as a testimony of “effort, humility and talent” that will transcend generations.
"How difficult it is to put in words the gratitude we feel for Lionel Messi, for everything he meant for us, for what he enlightened the country and the prestige he sowed for our people around the world," Macri said.
How hard it is to put in words the gratitude we feel for Lionel Messi, for everything he meant for us, for what he enlightened the country and the prestige he sowed for our people around the world. How lucky are we to have lived at the same time as him? pic.twitter.com/nEmPZjJa6H
The former president has alsoined for years a close relationship with the footballer and with the environment of the Argentine national team, so his message was added to the numerous samples of recognition Messi received after announcing his decision.
Another Argentine official who reacted to the announcement was Daniel Scioli, Secretary of Tourism, Environment and Sports of the Government of Argentina.
Scioli referred to Messi as an “eternal legend” and highlighted especially his influence on new generations and his role with the national team.
“Thank you Lionel for teaching us to never surrender and bring Argentina to the highest level.Your legacy with the national team transcends football and will accompany our country forever,” he said.
Thank you Lionel for teaching us to never surrender and bring Argentina to the highest level. - Your legacy with the national team transcends football and will accompany our country forever. pic.twitter.com/2G7vFmwKL1
His words were added to those of other personalities of Argentine football who recognized the trajectory of the attacker and its importance for the Albiceleste.
Lionel Messi’s announcement put an end to a more than two decades-long career with the Argentine national team t-shirt.
During that period, he won two America Cups, one Finalissima and the 2022 Qatar World Cup, as well as becoming the main offensive and football reference of the South American team.
The president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, also described the attacker as “a legend”.
Players such as Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo de Paul and Enzo Fernández, among other members of the Argentine national team, also dedicated messages of thanks to the captain for his trajectory and leadership within the group.
Messi, 39, communicated his decision through an emotional manuscript in which he explained the reasons that led him to close his international cycle.
“I empty myself, I don’t have more to give and big guys come behind who deserve to be,” he said.
With the Argentine t-shirt, Messi played 207 games, scored 125 goals and recorded 68 assists.
Those numbers place him as the Argentine footballer with more matches, goals and assists with the national team.
His last stage with Argentina was marked by the conquest of the main titles he had sought for much of his career: first the Copa America, then the Finalissima and finally the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The announcement now opens a new stage for the Argentine national team, which will have to start thinking about the transition to a generation in which footballers like those mentioned by Messi will have the responsibility to occupy an increasingly important place within the national team.
