Argentine President Javier Milei expressed gratitude to Lionel Messi after the footballer announced his retirement from the national team, calling him an "unreal person," reports infohub.kz.
The head of state's reaction came shortly after the 39-year-old captain officially announced the end of his international career on August 31, 2026. "Thank you so much, UNREAL PERSON...!!!" Milei wrote on his Instagram account.
The striker admitted he had given everything to the national team. The recent defeat in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain (0:1) and the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August 2026, helped him firmly decide to make way for the younger generation.
Representatives of the national team also expressed eternal gratitude to the forward, noting that his legacy surpasses any trophies, and he has become part of the national identity.
Over 21 years with the national team, Lionel Messi played 207 matches, scored 125 goals, and led Argentina to gold at the 2022 World Cup, two Copa America titles, and the 2026 World Cup final.
Earlier, "Kursiv" reported that Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentine national team. The 39-year-old footballer shared the news on Instagram a month and a half after the loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.