REUTERS/Juan Barbosa
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reacted to Lionel Messi’s decision to retire from international football.
Messi, 39, announced his decision to end his illustrious Argentina career on Monday,
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who inspired his country to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago, revealed he made the decision on July 21 - two days after Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain.
In an emotional statement, Messi said he’s “even more convinced of this decision than before” following the death of his father, Jorge, who passed away aged 68 on August 8 following a long illness.
"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment,” Messi wrote. "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.
Ballon d'Or Power Rankings
Ballon d'Or Power Rankings
"There isn’t 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 for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones.”
REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
Messi has received heartfelt messages from many of his Argentina teammates, including Enzo Fernandez, Lisandro Martinez and Leandro Paredes.
Meanwhile, British broadcaster Piers Morgan caused a stir by taking the opportunity to insist Messi’s retirement ‘settles the GOAT debate’ in Cristiano Ronaldo’s favour.
Mourinho has also reacted to Messi’s retirement - albeit in more magnanimous fashion than Piers Morgan.
Despite the fact Messi has punished his teams more times than he’ll care to remember, Real Madrid boss Mourinho has put club rivalries to one side to pay tribute to the player he once described as “the god of football”.
"Congratulations on a brilliant and unforgettable international career,” Mourinho wrote on Instagram. “The next Copa America and the next World Cup won't be the same."
While some fans have taken Mourinho’s message as a subtle dig, believing his message that the ‘next Copa America and the next World Cup won't be the same’ is a cheeky suggestion that both tournaments will be fairer without Messi, most are praising the Portuguese coach after taking the message at face-value.
“Absolutely class from Mourinho,” one person wrote on X (Twitter). “One of the greatest players of all time deserves this kind of respect.”
Indeed, Mourinho has been complimentary about Messi on numerous occasions in the past, admitting the Argentine is the one player he wishes he could have coached.
Messi has two years left to run on his Inter Miami contract after signing an extension until the end of the 2028 season in October 2025.