Argentina bids farewell to Messi: 'There is no one like him'

Buenos Aires, Argentina – In the La Boca neighborhood, home to Boca Juniors' stadium and a district that lives and breathes football, residents took turns photographing massive murals depicting the legendary Lionel Messi lifting the 2022 World Cup trophy.

Across the city, landmarks were illuminated in Argentina's blue and white colors to honor the national hero after he announced his retirement from the national team, concluding two decades that transformed a talented youngster into a national symbol.

On Monday, football clubs throughout the country sang songs about Messi and displayed banners featuring his image holding the World Cup. The Argentine Football Association is planning a tribute match to thank him for his extraordinary contributions.

Messi announced his departure from the national team this week in a handwritten letter posted on social media, noting it was written two days after Argentina lost to Spain in this year's World Cup final. He said he had "nothing left to give."

"It is a painful decision – and it still hurts deeply – but I understand that the time has come to stop," he wrote on Instagram on Monday.

Although the news was not entirely unexpected – Messi is 39 years old and recently lost his father, Jorge Messi, who played a pivotal role in his career – fans were still deeply saddened.

"We will continue to love Messi, not only for football but for his humility, for who he is; that is the most important thing about Messi," supporter Sebastian Luna told Al Jazeera. "Football will end, but Messi will remain in our hearts forever."

Some have called for his No. 10 jersey to be retired permanently. However, FIFA regulations do not permit it – the team had previously attempted to do so.

'Like a bucket of cold water'

Messi played in six World Cups with Argentina, and for many years faced criticism for not securing a title.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker, currently with Inter Miami, was often unfavorably compared to legend Diego Maradona, who also led Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986. But everything changed when Argentina triumphed in Qatar, elevating Messi to a national icon revered by Argentines across all political and social divides. Now, they have two heroes to celebrate.

"I watched Maradona, I saw many players – Kempes – but Messi is extraordinary," said Carlos Sciata, a fan in Buenos Aires. His retirement "is like a bucket of cold water, but it was bound to happen, especially after his father's death. We will miss him so much. There is no one like him," he added.

The record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner became Argentina's most-capped and all-time leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances, turning a complex relationship with the national team into a story of redemption and triumph.

Tributes have poured in since his announcement on Monday.

Angel Di Maria, who played alongside Messi during the 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar, said it was "difficult" to know fans would no longer see the special forward in Argentina's blue and white.

"I only know I was born in the right century to see him, enjoy him, and even more, to share many years with him on the national team," Di Maria expressed.

Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's teammate at Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, praised the "unconditional love" for his country from the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Just thank you, the greatest player of all time, thank you for making us so happy, you cannot imagine how many smiles you have brought!!" he added. "You are immortal."

A huge void

Despite hopes for one final World Cup triumph this year, Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the final.

Now, Argentina is preparing for what comes next. Messi's departure leaves a massive void for football fans, and questions arise about the future of coach Lionel Scaloni and the team he built around the star.

Off the pitch, Argentine football is also facing its own issues as the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is under investigation for serious allegations of corruption and financial misconduct.

But today, it is all about bidding farewell to an era. Messi has been a source of joy for a nation that has weathered economic and political turmoil.

The man who made all Argentines proud delivered his parting words in Monday's message: "I leave with serenity and pride for having given you, along with my teammates, moments we only dreamed of," he wrote.