The beginning of the end.
In this very same month, back in 2005, a young Lionel Messi made his debut with the senior national team of his native Argentina. 18 years old and had so much to conquer. Fast forward to today, August 31st, 21 years after that debut, and he bids farewell to the Albiceleste.
All-time goal scorer with 125 goals in 207 games. All-time assists with 68. Captained Argentina to two Copa América titles, one FIFA World Cup, and one Finalissima. Messi calls it quits, rewriting the history books along the way and cementing himself as the most decorated player ever to play for Argentina.
But numbers and words don’t do any kind of justice to what Messi has done for his country.
This current generation has been blessed enough to see his career blossom into what it has become. Right in front of our eyes, we saw him defy the odds of the sport with his mesmerizing ability and become the greatest player who has ever kicked a ball. And yes, that is very subjective because that argument will go on for years on end; but to me, there’s no doubt that Messi stands alone at the top of the very best.
So yes, while it was time for him to make this decision at 39 years old, it is still upsetting to think about how Messi’s complete retirement from the sport is around the corner.
Because it doesn’t just mark the end of his era, but also the end of an incredible era in the sport.
When looking back at what has transpired since the debuts of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s hard to think of a better time to watch soccer. Masterclasses week in and week out from the two. Making El Clásico the biggest spectacle in sports for years on end. Alien-like numbers at the conclusion of each season that ruined how we view today’s standards. It was simply something you had to live through to really understand the magnitude and importance this era had on the world.
And it wasn’t only them. We saw the likes of Neymar, Eden Hazard, Luis Suarez, Ibrahimovic, etc., who also contributed to the spectacles fans saw every weekend. So many special moments were created by this breed of players that will forever be forged in history.
But for now, even at 39, Messi still produces the magic we’ve been so accustomed to for two decades with Inter Miami CF. And I suggest we not take a moment for granted, as the end is well and truly near.
The end of a beautiful era in sports.