Football analyst Yanina Latorre claims that Lionel Messi shared plans for his international retirement with his Argentina squad members prior to their Sunday clash with Spain. Although Argentina sought back-to-back World Cup titles, their efforts were halted by a Ferran Torres goal during extra time.
The 39-year-old star struggled to make an impact during the match, which many anticipate will be his final World Cup appearance given that he will be 43 by the time the next tournament arrives. Latorre reported that Messi delivered an emotional farewell in the locker room at New York New Jersey Stadium, prompting tears from his teammates before he urged them to shift their focus back to the upcoming game.
While no formal announcement has been made, Latorre confirmed via social media that the speech signaled the end of the Messi era for the national team. Despite this, Messi’s recent tournament statistics—eight goals and four assists—prove his continued relevance on the global stage. Having recorded 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina, the Inter Miami forward’s future with the national team remains officially unconfirmed.
