Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh Honor Messi’s International Legacy
Lionel Messi announced that he was retiring from international football for Argentina.
Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan said Argentina’s famous No.
10 shirt would feel different without him.
Yuvraj Singh also praised Messi and said football would remember him for a long time.
Messi had difficult moments with Argentina before winning major trophies.
He helped the team win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.
He also helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The articles say he played 203 times for Argentina and scored 124 goals.
They also say Messi will keep playing club football for Inter Miami.
Some details about a 2026 World Cup appear inconsistent with the retirement timeline reported in the articles.
Lionel Messi announced his international retirement on August 31 at age 39, prompting tributes from Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh.
Dhawan said Argentina’s shirt would not feel quite the same without its No. 10, while Yuvraj called Messi a legend.
The articles credit Messi with 203 Argentina appearances and 124 goals, making him the country’s most-capped player and leading scorer.
Messi helped Argentina win the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The reports say Messi will continue playing for Inter Miami, while also containing timeline claims about the 2026 World Cup that are not otherwise reconciled.
- Who
- Lionel Messi, honored by former India cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh.
- What
- Messi announced his retirement from international football, leading to tributes about his Argentina career.
- When
- Messi announced the retirement on August 31; Dhawan’s tribute was reported on September 1.
- Where
- Dhawan posted on X and Yuvraj posted on Instagram; the reports were datelined New Delhi, India.
- Why
- Dhawan and Yuvraj praised Messi’s achievements, perseverance and legacy with Argentina; the articles do not state why he retired.
- Retirement announcement
- The reports say Messi announced his international retirement on August 31 at age 39.
- Argentina record
- Messi is identified as Argentina’s most-capped player, with 203 appearances.
- International goals
- The articles credit Messi with 124 goals for Argentina.
- Major trophies
- Messi helped Argentina win the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
- Dhawan’s tribute
- Dhawan wrote that Argentina’s shirt would not feel quite the same without the No. 10.
- Yuvraj’s tribute
- Yuvraj called Messi a legend and said football would remember him long after the final whistle.
- Club career
- The reports say Messi will continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
- Reported inconsistency
- The articles describe a retirement at age 39 but also refer to Messi appearing at a 2026 World Cup and performing in “this year’s” tournament.
