Argentina Officials Respect Messi's Choice on International Future

WHO:

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, president of the Argentina Football Association (AFA), stated that Messi's decision regarding his international future is "purely and personally his."

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, president of the Argentina Football Association (AFA), commented on Lionel Messi's international future.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Lionel Messi, 39 years old, is the captain of the Argentina national soccer team.

WHAT:

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Messi scored eight goals and had four assists during the 2026 World Cup, contributing to a total of 12 direct goal contributions.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Argentina lost to Spain 1-0 in the World Cup final after extra time.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Messi became the second player to participate in three men's World Cup finals, joining Brazil's Cafu.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Messi scored eight goals and had four assists during the 2026 World Cup, contributing to a total of 12 direct goal contributions.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Argentina is expected to play three or four friendly matches in the September-October international window, starting with a game at the Monumental in Buenos Aires before an Asian tour.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Messi has won four out of five finals with Argentina, including the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America.

AP - Messi became the second-oldest player to appear in a World Cup final at 39 years and 25 days, following Italy's Dino Zoff, who was 40 years and 133 days old in 1982.

Yahoo Sports UK - Messi has made a record 207 appearances for Argentina and scored 125 goals over a 21-year international career.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Messi recorded a total of 12 direct goal contributions (eight goals and four assists) during the 2026 World Cup.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Messi's next potential target would be the 2028 Copa America, when he would be 41 years old.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Messi has won four out of five finals with Argentina, including the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America.

AP - Messi recorded a total of 12 direct goal contributions (eight goals and four assists) during the 2026 World Cup.

AP - Messi became the second-oldest player to appear in a World Cup final at 39 years and 25 days, following Italy's Dino Zoff, who was 40 years and 133 days old in 1982.

Yahoo Sports UK - Messi has made a record 207 appearances for Argentina and scored 125 goals over a 21-year international career.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Messi scored eight goals and had four assists during the 2026 World Cup.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Argentina lost to Spain 1-0 in the World Cup final after extra time.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Messi became the second player to participate in three men's World Cup finals, joining Brazil's Cafu.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Messi is reported to have 21 career World Cup goals, while Kylian Mbappe has 22.

WHERE:

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - The World Cup final took place in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York.

WHEN:

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - The next Copa América is scheduled for 2028.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Messi will turn 43 during the summer of 2030.

WHY:

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Tapia emphasized the need to let Messi relax and enjoy playing football, stating, "You have to let him keep enjoying playing football and after that he'll make the decision he feels is the right one."

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Tapia stated that Messi's decision regarding his international future is "purely and personally his" and emphasized the need to let him relax and enjoy playing football.

HOW:

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Tapia stated, "It was a great World Cup for Leo, and we enjoyed it immensely. We have to feel proud, and I enjoyed every moment I could."

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Tapia stated, "I enjoyed watching him on the pitch; he was the standard-bearer for this World Cup, just as he has been in every competition he's played in."

Sportskeeda - Tapia stated that Messi will be given full freedom and "peace" to decide on his future with Argentina.

[12:20 p.m. ET] - usatoday.com - Tapia expressed that there is no pressure on Messi to play in the 2028 Copa América, allowing him to make his own decision.

Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, president of the Argentina Football Association, emphasized that Lionel Messi's decision about his international future is entirely personal. During the 2026 World Cup, Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists, contributing to a total of twelve direct goal contributions, though Argentina ultimately lost to Spain 1-0 in the final after extra time. Tapia expressed pride in Messi's performance, stating it was a great World Cup for him and highlighting the importance of allowing Messi to enjoy the game as he considers his next steps.