FIFA president Gianni Infantino highlighted Messi's international career and main records with the Argentine jersey, while AFA president Claudio Tapia chose a more personal tone to bid farewell to the captain who led the team to conquer the third star. Infantino published a message on his Instagram account to recognize Messi's career, saying: "Congratulations for an extraordinary international career that has inspired millions of people and has redefined our beautiful sport."
Tapia's emotional message remembered Messi's beginnings and his consolidation as the team's main reference, and assured that, for the Argentinians, the captain is already eternal. "The captain of our dreams. That kid, that flea, that extraterrestrial who made the impossible possible," Tapia wrote. "What more can you ask for, Leo? Maybe just one thing: that you be eternal. Because the Argentine doesn't understand years, he understands eternities. And you're already part of ours. You're already a legend of this land, of our team, and of world football."
Messi's post announcing his retirement from the Argentina national team is still available on Instagram.