José Mourinho has paid tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentine captain announced his retirement from international football following the 2026 World Cup.
Mourinho congratulated Messi on his international career and described it as wonderful and unforgettable. He added that future World Cup and Copa América tournaments would not be the same without the veteran forward.
Messi’s decision follows Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
The result denied Argentina the opportunity to defend the World Cup title Messi helped the country win in Qatar in 2022.
Despite the final defeat, Messi leaves the national team after achieving several of the biggest honours available in international football.
He won the Copa América in 2021, the World Cup in 2022 and another Copa América in 2024. He also helped Argentina win the Finalissima in 2022.
His international career began in 2005 and lasted 21 years.
During that period, Messi became Argentina’s most-capped player and leading scorer, finishing with 207 appearances and 125 goals.
His relationship with Argentina’s national team was once defined by the frustration of coming close without winning. He lost the 2014 World Cup final and several Copa América finals before finally ending that run of disappointment.
The 2021 Copa América changed the story.
From there, Messi’s Argentina career entered its most successful phase. The World Cup triumph in 2022 cemented his status as one of the defining figures in the country’s football history.
Now Argentina must move forward without him.
Mourinho’s message reflects the wider significance of that transition. The Portuguese manager is among the most recognisable coaches in modern football, and his tribute adds to the recognition of Messi’s influence beyond Argentina.
For the national team, the immediate task will be to develop its next generation of leaders and attacking players.
For Messi, the international chapter closes with the record, trophies and recognition that eluded him during the earlier part of his career.
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