Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday, August 31, ending a 20-year career with Argentina. Jose Mourinho, one of his fiercest rivals, was among the first to respond publicly, offering congratulations despite their history of intense competition.
Messi's International Career Ends with World Cup and Copa America Titles
Messi, 39, confirmed the decision through an Instagram post, stating he would no longer represent Argentina. He finishes as the country's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances. His debut came in 2005, a 63rd-minute substitute appearance in a 2-1 friendly win over Hungary, which ended abruptly with a red card less than a minute later for an elbow on Vilmos Vanczak.
Despite that rocky start, Messi went on to win the World Cup and two Copa America titles with Argentina. He also finished as the second-highest scorer in World Cup history with 21 goals, one behind France's Kylian Mbappe. In overall international goals, he sits second behind Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who holds the record with 146 goals. Across all clubs and country, Messi has scored 921 goals for Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Inter Miami, and Argentina.
Mourinho's Tribute Acknowledges a Fierce Rivalry
Mourinho, who managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, faced Messi during stints at Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. Their head-to-head record shows eight wins for Messi's side against six for Mourinho's teams, with four draws, per The Times of India. During those years, Messi scored 26 goals against Mourinho's side, the highest output against any single manager's tenure in La Liga history.
"Congratulations on a brilliant and unforgettable international career," Mourinho said. "The next Copa América and the next World Cup won't be the same."
Emotional Farewell After Father's Death
Messi wrote: "Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply." He said he had been reflecting on his future since the death of his father, Jorge, earlier this month. The announcement follows FIFA's tribute to Messi and an emotional message from Angel Di Maria, marking the end of one of football's most celebrated chapters.
