Di Maria Shares Heartfelt Message for Messi After Argentina Retirement

They have shared countless victories, unforgettable moments and the tears that came with painful defeats. Ángel Di María had already said goodbye to Argentina’s national team himself. Now, he has witnessed the end of another chapter as Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest footballer in history, prepares to step away from the sky-blue and white jersey.

Following Messi’s announcement of his retirement from international football, Di María shared an emotional message for his longtime friend and teammate.

Di María posted Messi’s retirement statement on his Instagram account and wrote over it: “Thank you, captain forever.”

The two were together when Argentina finally lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy in Qatar, ending the country’s long wait for football’s biggest prize. Before that, they had also celebrated Copa América success together in 2021, followed by another Copa América triumph in 2024.

It was after that 2024 Copa América victory that Di María decided to retire from international football.

In his official Instagram statement announcing his decision, Messi wrote: “After so much time has passed since the final match, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to let everyone know that I have decided to stop playing for the national team.”

Messi added: “It was a painful decision, and it still hurts deeply in my heart, but I have understood that the time has come. I swear to you that I have always given everything I had—not only in recent years, when we won everything, but also before that. I have always fought for this jersey and given my all so that I could bring you happiness through football and give you the chance to feel proud of me as an Argentine.”

Among the first Argentina players to react to Messi’s announcement was Alexis Mac Allister.

Just three minutes after Messi’s announcement, Mac Allister was among the first players to publicly respond. The Liverpool midfielder shared a short but emotional message, writing: “Thank you for everything you have given us, both on and off the pitch.”

Messi and Mac Allister played together at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina finally ended years of heartbreak and lifted the trophy with Messi at the centre of their celebrations.

They had hoped to defend their title and win the World Cup for a second consecutive time. Both Mac Allister and Messi once again played important roles in the tournament, but Argentina’s defeat to Spain brought an end to their hopes of giving Messi the perfect and most fitting farewell to his international career.

For Di María and Messi, however, the memories of everything they achieved together—from Copa América triumphs to World Cup glory—will remain among the most unforgettable chapters in Argentina’s football history.