Enzo Fernandez Pays Emotional Tribute as Lionel Messi Retires from Argentina
Lionel Messi has ended his Argentina career permanently at 39 after the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, closing an international run that made him both the country’s record appearance holder and leading scorer.
Key takeaways
- Messi’s decision followed Argentina’s World Cup final campaign and the death of his father Jorge in early August.
- Enzo Fernandez paid an emotional tribute to the former Argentina captain on Instagram.
- The Chelsea midfielder recalled fearing Messi’s 2016 international retirement would deny him a chance to play alongside his idol.
- Fernandez and Messi became World Cup winners together in Qatar.
- Lionel Scaloni must now prepare Argentina for a new cycle leading towards the 2030 World Cup and future Copa America tournaments.
Fernandez recalls dream becoming reality
Fernandez, 25, said Messi’s earlier decision to step away from Argentina duty in 2016 had hit him hard as a young fan. The midfielder revealed he used to work out the age gap between them, wondering whether he could reach the senior squad before Messi retired for good.
He said the thought may have seemed childish, but it was a genuine ambition: to share the Argentina shirt with the player he admired most, even for one match. Messi’s return to the national side kept that possibility alive.
Instead, Fernandez’s hopes went far beyond a single appearance. The pair shared camps, changing rooms, difficult spells and major celebrations before lifting the World Cup together in Qatar.
The Chelsea player also highlighted Messi’s treatment of him after his arrival in the squad. Fernandez said he had expected to meet his footballing hero, but found a team-mate who immediately made him feel included, offering advice, encouragement and calm when needed.
Argentina enter post-Messi era
Fernandez admitted it will be painful to picture the next Argentina gathering without Messi in the No 10 shirt. He said the team had become accustomed to seeing its captain lead the line for so many years that his absence will be difficult to absorb.
In his farewell message, Fernandez thanked Messi for what he had taught him and for allowing him to be part of a historic Argentina journey. He said both the player and the boy who once counted the years had been fortunate, adding that the squad will miss its captain badly.
Scaloni now faces the challenge of reshaping the world champions without their defining figure. Fernandez is among the younger core expected to take greater responsibility as Argentina build towards the 2030 World Cup and upcoming Copa America competitions.
Messi’s attention will now turn solely to Inter Miami. With international demands behind him, he will seek more domestic success in Major League Soccer during the final stage of his playing career.
