José Mourinho reacts to Lionel Messi’s Argentina retirement with sly dig at MLS
· Yahoo Sports
Following a heartbreaking end to what was his sixth FIFA World Cup, Argentine legend Lionel Messi announced that, at 39 years old, he was retiring from international soccer.
The Inter Miami forward posted an emotional letter on social media revealing his decision, which he said he wrote two days after their 1-0 loss to Spain in New Jersey.
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“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment,” Messi explained.
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“I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.
“There isn't much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don't have anything more to give.”
Quizzed on Messi’s decision, Real Madrid boss José Mourinho, who has had plenty of run-ins against the Argentine during his managerial career, not least during his previous stint in charge of Los Blancos whilst the forward was arguably at the peak of his powers, the Portuguese coach admitted that “talking about Messi is complicated.”
He added, via online translation, “There isn't much more to say. Words can't really describe it. His quality as a player—even at this World Cup, reaching this level at 38 or 39—is exactly what we’ve witnessed. He’s one of those players you’re going to miss.”
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Of course, Mourinho and the rest of the soccer world will still get to watch Messi’s usual magic at a domestic level, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner currently plying his trade in Major League Soccer with Miami. Although it seems a safe bet that the Madrid boss won’t be going out of his way to tune in to Apple TV.
“We’ll have to watch some MLS matches—something I’m not particularly fond of—but we have to watch a few to make the most of these final years and seasons, just to see him play,” he said. “Because he’s one of those—as I mentioned in a previous press conference—there are players you always, always miss. And regarding him—in our generation, over the last two decades or so—we all know what he represents.”
Messi steps away from international soccer having appeared in 207 games and scored 125 goals, winning not only the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but also two Copa Américas, two World Cup Golden Balls, and two Copa América Golden Balls.
He’ll now focus all of his attention on attempting to help Miami keep a hold of the MLS Cup, with the Herons having clinched their first-ever title last season under now-former head coach Javier Mascherano. Currently, Miami is second in the Eastern Conference after 22 games, with Cristian Alberto “Kily” González set to take over as head coach, following Guillermo Hoyos’ spell as interim boss.