Lionel Messi’s attempt to secure a second consecutive World Cup ended on Sunday. Now, the lingering question is whether this will be his final appearance on football’s grandest stage.
If it is, his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, shared a touching tribute on Instagram.
She posted a poignant image of a tearful Messi on the pitch, along with a shot of a teammate lifting him after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final.
“You are always the best, @leomessi. Not just because of your talent, but because you never stopped being yourself. No matter what happens, you never give up. You always fight to the end and give your all until the last second,” she wrote in Spanish.
“Your resilience, your mentality, and how you keep bouncing back time and again makes you truly one of a kind. Thank you for staying true to yourself and demonstrating daily that real success comes from hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance.”
Antonella continued, “You are an incredible role model for our kids and an inspiration to millions. I admire you more than words can say, and I’m proud to walk through life by your side. I love you deeply.”
In the match against Spain, Messi didn’t manage to score, closing out the 2026 World Cup with a total of eight goals. At 39, he has achieved all that he set out to accomplish in his remarkable career.
It seems Messi hasn’t yet decided on his international future. However, at his age—turning 43 by the next World Cup—and given the emotion he displayed after the loss to Spain, many suspect this might have been his last time wearing the Argentina jersey.
