'No One Else Like Him': Argentina Mourns Messi's International Farewell

Argentina has erupted in an outpouring of emotion following Lionel Messi's decision to retire from international football, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable careers in the history of the national team.

In Buenos Aires' La Boca neighbourhood, where football is deeply woven into everyday life, supporters have gathered around enormous murals of Messi lifting the 2022 World Cup. Fans have taken turns posing for photographs beside images of the superstar, celebrating the player who ultimately delivered Argentina its long-awaited world title.

Across the capital, landmarks have been illuminated in Argentina's famous blue and white colours, while football clubs around the country have displayed banners and sung tributes to their national hero.

The Argentine Football Association is also preparing a farewell match in recognition of Messi's extraordinary contribution to the national team.

Messi confirmed his international retirement this week in a social media post featuring a handwritten letter. He said he had written the message two days after Argentina's defeat to Spain in this year's World Cup final and admitted he felt he had "nothing else to give".

"It was a decision that hurt - and still hurts deep down - but I understand that the time has come," Messi wrote.

Although the announcement was not entirely unexpected given Messi's age and the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, supporters have still been left heartbroken.

"We are going to continue loving Messi, not just for football but for his humility, for who he is; that's the most important thing about Messi," supporter Sebastian Luna said.

"It's football; it's over, but Messi will always be in our hearts."

Some fans have even called for Argentina to retire Messi's iconic number 10 shirt. However, FIFA regulations prevent national teams from permanently retiring squad numbers, despite Argentina having previously attempted to do so.

Messi represented Argentina at six World Cups and spent much of his international career under intense pressure to deliver the trophy that had eluded him.

For years, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star was compared with Diego Maradona, Argentina's legendary captain who inspired the country to World Cup glory in 1986.

Those comparisons changed dramatically after Messi finally lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022. The triumph transformed his complicated relationship with Argentine supporters and cemented his place alongside Maradona as one of the country's greatest sporting icons.

"I saw Maradona; I saw many players - Kempes - but Messi is superlative," Buenos Aires supporter Carlos Sciata said.

His retirement, he added, was "like a bucket of cold water".

"But we are going to miss him a lot. There is no one else like him."

Messi leaves international football as Argentina's record appearance maker and leading goalscorer, having scored 125 goals in 207 matches.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner turned years of disappointment and criticism into a remarkable story of redemption, eventually leading Argentina to the Copa America title and World Cup triumph.

Tributes have poured in from former teammates and fellow players.

Angel Di Maria, who played alongside Messi during Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory, said it was difficult to imagine the team without him wearing the famous blue and white shirt.

"I only know that I was born in the right century to be able to see you, enjoy you, and on top of that, to share all these years with you on the national team," Di Maria said.

Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's teammate at Inter Miami, praised the forward for his "unconditional love" for Argentina.

"Just thank you, the greatest of all time, thank you for making us so, so happy, you can't imagine how many smiles you brought!!" De Paul wrote.

"You are eternal."

Messi's final World Cup campaign ended in disappointment when Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the final.

His departure now leaves a huge question mark over the future of the national team, with supporters wondering how coach Lionel Scaloni will rebuild a side that has been constructed around its greatest star.

Argentine football is also facing challenges away from the pitch, with the Argentine Football Association under investigation over allegations involving corruption and financial irregularities.

For now, however, those concerns have been pushed aside as Argentina celebrates and mourns the end of Messi's international career.

For millions of Argentinians, Messi has represented far more than football. Through years of political and economic uncertainty, he became a rare source of collective pride and happiness.

His farewell message reflected the significance of the journey.

"I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you - alongside my teammates - moments we once only dreamed of," Messi wrote.

For Argentina, an extraordinary era has come to an end.