Argentine football prez: Lionel Messi alone will decide when to retire
Especially after witnessing what Lionel Messi was still capable of at this summer’s World Cup, the president of the Argentina Football Association is not rushing the all-time great out the door. Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia said in an interview on Argentine TV that Messi is the only person making the decision when to hang up his boots. “It’s a decision that is purely and personally his,” Tapia said,…
The president of the Argentina Football Association, Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, has stated that Lionel Messi is the one who decides when he will retire from international football. Tapia spoke on Argentine TV, emphasizing that the decision is purely and personally made by Messi. He noted that in 2022, the team wasn't sure if Messi would play in 2026, and after seeing his performance at the World Cup, they believe Messi is at his best.
Messi, who turned 39 in June, has yet to announce his retirement plans or his future with Inter Miami in the MLS. Despite Argentina's loss to Spain in the 2022 World Cup final, Messi played exceptionally well, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. This performance earned him the record for the most goals in World Cup history, a record previously held by Miroslav Klose.
Messi's father, Jorge, passed away at the age of 68. The oldest non-goalkeeper to ever play in a World Cup match was Roger Milla of Cameroon at 42 years and 39 days. Another icon, Cristiano Ronaldo, also played at the age of 41.
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