Beckham and Mourinho Lead Tributes After Messi Ends Argentina Career

Tributes have followed Lionel Messi’s retirement from international football, with Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho among those marking the end of the Argentina captain’s career. BBC Sport reported that the 39-year-old leaves the international game after scoring 125 goals in 207 appearances.

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Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar and helped the team reach the final again in 2026. His international honours also include Copa America victories in 2021 and 2024, achievements that form the core of the tributes published after his announcement.

Beckham, whose Inter Miami team still employs Messi at club level, wrote on Instagram that the forward had inspired millions of children around the world. He said Messi had given Argentina the greatest gift and that his legacy would endure. Mourinho, who regularly faced Messi while coaching Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, commented that the next Copa America and World Cup would not be the same without him.

Former Argentina midfielder Angel Di Maria, who played alongside Messi for the national team and at Paris Saint-Germain, described him as the greatest of all time. Di Maria said he felt fortunate both to have watched Messi and to have shared years with him in the Argentina side. Former Tottenham defender Cristian Romero recalled dreaming of meeting Messi as a child before becoming his teammate during what he called a golden era for the national team.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez also reflected on progressing from hoping to play with Messi once to sharing training camps, a dressing room and a World Cup triumph with him. FIFA president Gianni Infantino congratulated Messi on an international career that, in his words, inspired millions and redefined the game, while thanking him for the memories he created in Argentina’s colours.

Argentine Formula One driver Franco Colapinto added his appreciation on Messi’s retirement post, thanking him for repeatedly recovering from setbacks and giving everything to bring happiness to the country. The messages collectively focused on Messi’s influence beyond his goals and trophies, while the confirmed record of 207 caps, 125 goals, two Copa America titles and a World Cup victory defined the scale of the career being celebrated.