Mourinho pays tribute to Messi after international retirement

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has paid tribute to Lionel Messi, describing the Argentine as one of the greatest players of his generation following his retirement from international football.

Mourinho said Messi’s quality was difficult to put into words and praised his performances at the 2026 World Cup, where the forward captained Argentina in their final defeat by Spain.

“There are no words to describe his quality as a player,” Mourinho said at a news conference.

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“With what he did at the World Cup, at 39 years old… He’s a player we’ll miss. We’ll have to watch some MLS games to enjoy his last years; I don’t know if it will be a season or seasons.

“He’s one of those players who, as I said the other day, you always miss. This player, for our generation, over these last two decades, we all know what he represents.”

Messi, 39, announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on 31 August, bringing a 21-year international career to an end.

His decision came seven weeks after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, denying them the chance to retain the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022.

Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and also helped them win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024. He ended his international career as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer, with 207 caps and 125 goals.

The 2026 World Cup was Messi’s sixth appearance at the tournament, having made his senior Argentina debut in 2005.

Despite retiring from international football, Messi has no plans to end his club career and remains with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.

Mourinho joked that fans will now have to watch MLS matches to enjoy the final years of Messi’s career.

The Argentine Football Association has also announced that domestic matches this weekend will pause in the 10th minute for a minute’s applause in honour of Messi, reflecting his iconic number 10 shirt.