By Team INVC | INVC NEWS
Published: September 1, 2026 |10 : 46 AM IST
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina | September 1, 2026 —
Antonela Roccuzzo has delivered one of the most emotional tributes yet to Lionel Messi after the Argentine legend brought down the curtain on his extraordinary international football career.
Messi’s wife shared personal family moments on social media along with a heartfelt message remembering the years of pain, setbacks, comebacks and finally glory that defined his journey with Argentina.
For Antonela, however, Messi’s story was never only about trophies.
It was also about watching the man beside her repeatedly fall, rebuild himself and keep chasing a dream that once looked impossible.
Antonela Remembers Messi’s Pain, Comebacks and Glory
In her message, Antonela said she felt immense pride watching Messi close this chapter of his life.
She recalled witnessing the difficult years when Argentina repeatedly fell short in major finals and Messi faced enormous criticism despite his extraordinary individual career.
Her most powerful line summed up that journey:
“I saw you suffer, fall and get back up.”
Antonela said she watched Messi continue when things were not going his way and keep trying despite the disappointments. She also reflected on finally being able to witness him fulfil the dreams he had chased for years.
Their Children Make the Farewell Even More Emotional
The tribute became particularly personal when Antonela turned to their three sons—Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
She said one of the most moving parts of Messi’s Argentina story was that their children had been able to experience it from so close.
They watched their father fight through disappointment, refuse to surrender and eventually lift the trophy he wanted more than any other.
For the children, Messi may be one of football’s greatest-ever players.
But inside the family, Antonela noted, he remains simply their dad.
She ended her message by expressing pride in both Messi’s career and the person he remained throughout it, telling him that his family loves him endlessly.
Messi Says Goodbye to Argentina for the Second Time
This is technically Messi’s second international retirement.
After Argentina lost the 2016 Copa America Centenario final against Chile, a devastated Messi announced that his national-team career was over.
That retirement did not last.
Messi returned—and what followed completely transformed his relationship with Argentina.
He finally won the Copa America in 2021, lifted the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, retained the Copa America in 2024 and then led Argentina all the way to another World Cup final in 2026.
This time, however, the goodbye appears final.
207 Games, 125 Goals and an Unrepeatable Argentina Career
Messi retires from international football at the age of 39 after one of the greatest national-team careers the sport has seen.
He finishes with a record 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina, leaving as both his country’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer.
His international honours include the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
Messi also reached World Cup finals in 2014 and 2026.
The final chapter, however, did not deliver the fairytale finish.
Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain, denying Messi the chance to become a world champion for the second consecutive tournament.
From 2016 Heartbreak to 2022 Immortality
That is what gives Antonela’s tribute so much emotional weight.
She lived through the period when Messi was accused of failing to reproduce his Barcelona success with Argentina.
She watched him lose final after final.
She was there when he walked away in 2016.
And she was beside him when his international story completely changed.
By the time Messi lifted the World Cup in Doha in December 2022, years of frustration had given way to one of football’s most celebrated redemption stories.
Antonela’s message therefore reads as more than a retirement tribute.
It is a family perspective on a journey that lasted more than two decades.
Messi Leaves, but His Football Career Continues
Messi’s decision applies to international football.
It does not mean he has retired from the sport completely.
The Argentine icon is expected to continue his club career with Inter Miami, allowing supporters to keep watching him even though the famous No. 10 will no longer lead Argentina onto the international stage.
For Argentina, though, an era has ended.
And Antonela’s tribute captured the farewell in perhaps the simplest possible way: beyond the goals, trophies and records, her children watched their father refuse to give up until he finally achieved his dream.
Also Read – : Argentina Survives Huge FIFA World Cup 2026 Scare, Edges Cabo Verde 3-2
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