Mourinho bids farewell to Messi with a touching message
Portuguese coach José Mourinho sent a message of appreciation to Argentine star Lionel Messi following the captain's announcement of his retirement from international football. Mourinho praised Messi's contributions over many years with his national team, emphasizing that his absence will leave a significant void in upcoming international tournaments. He expressed his admiration for Messi's career with the national team, suggesting that the next two editions of the Copa América and the World Cup will lose some of their luster without the Argentine star, highlighting Messi's immense stature in international football over the past two decades. Mourinho's message carries added significance, given his numerous encounters with Messi during his time managing Real Madrid, particularly in El Clásico matches against Barcelona, where he faced the Argentine star in one of the most intense periods of rivalry in Spanish football history. Messi concluded an international career that began with his debut for Argentina in 2005, during which he transformed from a rising star to the most prominent captain in the national team's history. He played over 190 international matches, becoming the record holder for most appearances and the all-time top scorer for the Argentine national team. Messi's journey with the national team wasn't without its challenges from the start. He lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany, followed by two consecutive defeats in the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals against Chile. After the 2016 final loss, he briefly announced his international retirement before reversing his decision and continuing to represent his country. The following years witnessed the biggest turning point in Messi's international career. He led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América, securing his first major title with the national team, and then continued to make history by guiding his country to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar. His success didn't stop there, as he added the 2024 Copa América title, leading Argentina to three consecutive major titles and cementing his place as one of the most prominent players associated with the national team's historic achievements. With his decision to retire from international football, Messi brings to a close an exceptional era spanning nearly two decades, during which he left an indelible mark on Argentina, whether through records, titles, or the immense influence he exerted both on and off the field. Messi will therefore miss the next World Cup, depriving the tournament of one of its most prominent historical stars, while his career with the national team remains linked to a generation that brought Argentina back to the top of world football after many years of waiting.
