Argentines hoped Messi would stay forever
Lionel Messi's long-anticipated international retirement still came as a shock in Argentina, where the World Cup winner became far more than a soccer star.
When Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentine national team on Monday, it triggered an intense wave of sadness and disbelief across the nation. The news, which everyone knew was inevitable, struck a chord that resonated deeply among Argentines. Damián Tiralongo, a 47-year-old owner of a soccer jersey store in Buenos Aires, expressed his profound sorrow, saying, "It hurts me so much. It's the end of an era."
Messi, the soccer superstar who had brought Argentina back to global prominence by leading the team to victory in the 2022 World Cup and to the finals this year, had become an icon. His departure from the national team was not just the end of one player's career, but the conclusion of an entire country's hopes, pride, and identity. The retirement of this national treasure sparked fears of a diminished team and brought tears to the eyes of countless fans who had followed Messi's journey for two decades.
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