Football, before and after Messi

International football has experienced the loss of its most iconic spectacle, as Lionel Messi announced his retirement through an Instagram post on Monday. The Argentine's departure has left a palpable sense of grief and mourning, as no individual player has ever had such a profound impact on the sport's landscape. Messi's influence extended beyond goals, assists, trophies, and honours; he embodied the beauty of the beautiful game.

Over the course of his 21-year career at the sport's zenith, Messi witnessed the transformation of football from a domain of artistic flair to a more physically demanding and strategically predetermined spectacle. The physical nature of the game became more pronounced, and player movements were increasingly dictated by boardroom decisions. Yet, Messi remained steadfast in his essence – a shapeshifting genius who remained immune to the evolving dynamics around him.

As roles, positions, and even hairdos shifted, Messi's unparalleled brilliance remained untouched. His football exemplified unfathomable lightness, transforming a complex sport into a seemingly effortless performance. The true measure of his greatness, however, was not easily quantifiable; only Messi could truly grasp the depth of his extraordinary gifts.

The absence of Messi's genius in international football will undoubtedly render the sport a less captivating experience. The loss of his unparalleled presence has left a void that cannot be adequately captured by the measurement of measurable achievements. The only men who could have arguably assessed his greatness are now deceased – Pele and Diego Maradona. The loss of Messi has undoubtedly diminished the pleasurable feast of international football.