Lionel Messi marked his first match since retiring from international football by scoring two goals in Inter Miami's 4-0 victory over DC United. The match took place shortly after his farewell from the Argentina national team, in which he made 207 appearances and scored 126 goals, making him the highest scorer in the history of the Albiceleste. Messi has won two Copa America titles and one World Cup for Argentina.
Read More
Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Messi following his iconic farewell, expressing respect for the Argentine icon. Additionally, Messi has been involved in a promotional campaign with Adidas, where he named ten young talents he believes will shape the future of soccer. Among those he highlighted were Argentine Tomás Aranda, Mexican Gilberto Mora, and Spaniard Jesús Rodríguez.
Some criticism directed at Messi has come from former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart, who suggested that he should formalize his farewell ceremony at Camp Nou and not let boardroom politics influence his decision. Gaspart emphasized that the institution of Barcelona surpasses any individual player.
As Messi continues his career at Inter Miami, he also participated in community initiatives, showcasing his impact both on and off the pitch.