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Emi Martinez, Mac Allister hail teammate Messi after conclusion of illustrious Argentina career
Beunos Aires [Argentina], September 1 (ANI): Argentina goalie Emiliano Martinez and midfielder Alexis Mac Allister hailed legendary footballer Lionel Messi following his international retirement.
Messi, 39, hung up his boots, putting an end to a two-decade long Argentina career filled with records, goals and a thousand memories. Martinez, the ‘Golden Glove’ winner in Argentina’s dreamy FIFA WC winning 2022 campaign and Mac Allister, also joined their other teammates in congratulating their captain.
Posting on his Instagram, Emi thanked Messi for “making him a world champion and helping me reach heights I never imagined possible." toffler.lol
“Captain, Words aren’t enough to express everything you did for us and for the entire Argentine people. All I can do is thank you for making me a world champion and helping me reach heights I never imagined possible. My respect, always. Thank you," said Emi.
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Meanwhile, Mac Allister, who plays for Premier League giants Liverpool, chimed in Messi’s retirement post comment section, saying, “Thank you for everything you gave us inside and outside the pitch."
The decision came over a month after Argentina’s 0-1 loss to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
In a statement originally written two days after the final and finalised after his father’s death, Messi expressed deep pride and peace with his choice, emphasising that the recent loss of his father made him even more convinced of his decision to step aside for the next generation.
“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team. It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment… I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football," said Messi.
“There is not much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give. Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here… Thank you to my family for always being there and for being with me throughout this beautiful but difficult journey… I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of… Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina! I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced of this decision than before," he added.
Messi leaves behind an unparalleled international legacy as Argentina’s most-capped player and top all-time scorer, with 124 goals in 203 appearances. Over a career featuring six FIFA World Cup appearances (2006-2026), he amassed 21 World Cup goals–including eight goals and four assists in the 2026 tournament–and led Argentina to historic triumphs at the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and the 2024 Copa America.
While his international chapter comes to a close, Messi will continue playing club football for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
Head coach Khalid Jamil announces 26-member India football squad for international matches vs Brazil, Panama and Uruguay
Indian men’s football team head coach Khalid Jamil has announced his 26-man squad for the Blue Tigers’ upcoming high-profile friendly matches against three FIFA World Cup playing nations, which also took part in the 2026 edition held across the North Americas earlier this year. All three of India’s opponents are South Americans with only one of those nations not winning the world title.
The friendlies will kick-off with India’s meeting with Panama on Saturday, September 26 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Benglauru. The Blue Tigers will then fly to Kolkata for a blockbuster fixture against former five-time world champions Brazil on October 3 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as the Salt Lake Stadium.
The iconic venue, which also infamously welcomed Argentina legend Lionel Messi, will also host the inaugural FIFA World Cup winners Uruguay on Tuesday, October 6. This will be the first time that team India will face these three opponents over 90 minutes but it has also come at a cost.
Also Read: Lionel Messi retires: Top five most memorable matches of the Argentina legend
The All India Football Federation had the chance of sending the Indian team to the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, where the Blue Tigers were invited by the apex governing body themselves. However, the AIFF declined the opportunity to participate in the exclusive tournament in order to host the World Cup playing nations, which is certain to attract massive eyeballs.
The AIFF knows that it can generate heavy revenue through ticket sales and broadcast. While some people are absolutely against this move, others have appreciated the Indian board’s efforts to bring high-profile foreign teams on Indian soil.
The Blue Tigers could have faced similar competition in the ASEAN Cup, which would have also given them a reality check as to where they stand in South East Asia, but now they have a few monumental tasks in hand. Khalid Jamil and co will begin their preparations from September 14 onwards in Bengaluru.
India’s squad for friendlies against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay
Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and Som Kumar.
Defenders: Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Jay Gupta, Pramveer and Ricky Meetei Haobam.
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Farukh Choudhary, Lalengmawia Ralte, Macarton Nickson, Mohammed Sanan, Ricky Shabong and Sahal Abdul Samad.
Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Ryan Williams and Vikram Partap Singh.
Other than these 26 players, the AIFF has also confirmed that four players – goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, defenders Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Roshan Singh Naorem and midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam – will be on standby and they will be called-up if required.
‘Not a good decision’: Ex-Pak star fumes at PCB, sends message to Mohsin Naqvi
Kamran Akmal expressed strong disapproval of the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to release seven players from the squad during the England Test series. He argued that this move could harm the morale of the remaining team members. Akmal questioned why senior players were sent home rather than simply being benched, stating that this choice diminishes the team's reputation and increases pressure on the players who remain.