Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Jay Shah Salutes Messi After International Retirement, Recalls India Meeting
Lionel Messi has decided to stop playing international football for Argentina.
Jay Shah, who leads the International Cricket Council, thanked him for his amazing career.
Shah remembered meeting Messi in India and giving him an India cricket jersey.
Messi said the decision made him feel sad and hurt.
He also said he had given everything he could to his national team.
Messi believes younger players should now get their chance.
He won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 and other major trophies.
He thanked fans for supporting him for about 20 years.
Messi will still play football for Inter Miami.
ICC chairman Jay Shah praised Lionel Messi’s humility and football genius after the Argentine announced his international retirement.
Shah recalled presenting Messi with an India cricket team jersey during the footballer’s visit to India with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.
Messi said he was hurt by retiring but felt he had nothing left to give and that younger players deserved opportunities.
Messi’s international career included Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, according to the reports.
Messi will continue playing club football for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, while the reports differ on some retirement and World Cup details.
- Who
- Lionel Messi announced his international retirement, and International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah paid tribute to him.
- What
- Messi ended his international football career with Argentina, while Shah publicly praised his achievements and humility.
- When
- Shah’s tribute was reported on Tuesday; the articles say Messi announced his retirement on Monday, with one account giving August 31 as the date. One report says Messi wrote his message on July 21, two days after a World Cup final loss to Spain.
- Where
- Shah recalled meeting Messi during his visit to India; Messi’s international career was with Argentina.
- Why
- Messi said he had given everything he could, felt he had nothing left to give, and wanted younger players to have opportunities.
- Tribute giver
- Jay Shah, chairman of the International Cricket Council
- Retiring player
- Lionel Messi, Argentina’s football captain and international player
- India connection
- Shah said he presented Messi with an India cricket team jersey during Messi’s visit to India.
- Major achievement
- Messi led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title, according to both reports.
- Reported international record
- The second report describes Messi as Argentina’s most-capped player and leading scorer, with 203 appearances and 124 goals.
- Continued career
- Messi is expected to continue playing club football for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
- Reported discrepancy
- The articles differ over the retirement date and circumstances surrounding the 2026 World Cup, including whether Argentina lost to Spain in the final.
