Lionel Messi's Retirement: Antonela Roccuzzo's Heartfelt Tribute
A Touching Farewell from Antonela Roccuzzo
Antonela Roccuzzo, the spouse of football icon Lionel Messi, shared a poignant message following her husband's retirement from international football. She expressed immense pride in his remarkable journey and the opportunity for their children to witness it firsthand.
Messi's illustrious international career, spanning two decades, concluded on Monday. The 39-year-old leaves behind an impressive legacy filled with records, goals, and unforgettable moments that will be cherished by future generations of football enthusiasts.
Antonela Roccuzzo's Emotional Tribute
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Antonela reflected on the joy and challenges Messi faced throughout his career. She expressed her gratitude for being part of his journey and emphasized how meaningful it was for their children to see their father in action. "I am so proud to see you close this chapter this way, @leomessi. So many years, so many moments, so much joy—and so many setbacks, too. I watched you suffer, fall, and get back up. I watched you keep going when things didn't go your way and always try again. And after all these years, I was also lucky enough to see you fulfill your dreams and experience some of the happiest days of our lives," she wrote.
"But there is something about this whole story that moves me deeply: that our children grew up witnessing it all firsthand. That they saw their dad fight for what he wanted, refuse to give up, and keep believing until the very end. And that they were there to see you achieve it all and lift the World Cup. Perhaps one day they will truly understand the magnitude of your story. Today, they are simply proud of their dad."
"And I am proud of you. Of your journey, of everything you overcame, and—above all—of the person behind every one of those moments. What a privilege it has been to experience all this by your side. We love you infinitely," she concluded.
Messi's Retirement Announcement
Messi's retirement decision came over a month after Argentina's defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. In a statement crafted shortly after the match and finalized following his father's passing, Messi conveyed his pride and peace regarding his choice. He noted that the loss of his father reinforced his decision to step aside for the next generation.
"After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I'm retiring from the national team. It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment... I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football," Messi stated.
"There is not much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don't have anything more to give. Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here... Thank you to my family for always being there and for being with me throughout this beautiful but difficult journey... I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of... Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!" he added.
Messi's Unmatched International Legacy
Messi departs with an unmatched international legacy, holding the record as Argentina's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 124 goals in 203 matches. His career included six FIFA World Cup appearances (2006-2026), where he scored 21 World Cup goals—eight of which came in the 2026 tournament—and led Argentina to historic victories at the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and the 2024 Copa America.
While his international career concludes, Messi will continue to play club football for Major League Soccer team Inter Miami.