Lionel Messi has announced his intention to keep playing for Argentina beyond Sunday’s Copa America final. After Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Canada, Messi stated, “As I’ve said before, I intend to continue. I intend to keep living day by day without thinking about what will come in the future or whether I’ll continue or not. It’s something I just live each day. I’m 37 years and only God knows when the end will be.”
In this year’s tournament, Messi scored his first goal, marking his 109th international goal and his 14th in Copa America play, just three shy of the record. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner reflected on his journey, speaking at MetLife Stadium, where he had previously announced his retirement after missing a penalty kick in the 2016 Copa America final loss to Chile. He reversed that decision seven weeks later and has since scored 54 goals in 73 international appearances, bringing his total appearances for Argentina to 186. Messi has helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup.
Di María’s Farewell
Team-mate Ángel Di María has announced his intention to retire after Sunday’s game against Uruguay or Colombia at Miami Gardens, Florida. The 36-year-old made his international debut in 2008 and has scored 31 goals in 144 appearances. “It’s my last battle. There’s nothing left to say that I haven’t said a lot of times before,” Di María explained. “It’s my last game. I have to say thank you to all Argentineans and to this generation that has allowed me to lift so many trophies.”
Di María, alongside Messi, has been instrumental in leading Argentina to their third World Cup and 15th Copa America title. “We’ve enjoyed him so much,” Messi said. “He’s always given his all and the best of himself and that he will retire in a final is something he simply deserves.”
Scaloni’s Hope for Di María
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni expressed hope that Di María might reconsider his decision to retire. “We don’t want to start crying right now. We don’t want to feel melancholy,” Scaloni said. “We have to let him play and then we’ll see if we can convince him or not to stay with us.”
South American World Cup qualifying resumes in September, with each national team scheduled to play 12 more matches. The 2026 World Cup final will be at MetLife Stadium on July 19. “We will never be the ones to close the door,” Scaloni said. “He can be with our team for as long as he wants to be. And if he wants to retire but still come and hang around, it would be great. And if he wants to come with me to somewhere else, I will take him everywhere so he can decide whatever he wants to do.”
[…] gathered on the field for a pre-game ceremony that featured fan tributes and a video message from Lionel Messi, an Inter Miami teammate and Argentina legend. Among those paying tribute was former Uruguayan […]