Lionel Messi sends emotional retirement message to Angel di Maria – with injury recovery at Inter Miami robbing Argentina superstar of chance to join fellow World Cup winner at Monumental farewell

Di Maria, who was on target alongside Messi in the final of Qatar 2022, is walking away from international duty after earning 145 caps for his country. He bowed out in fitting style when helping the Albiceleste to another continental crown at the 2024 Copa America.

Messi has spent his entire international career working with Di Maria – savouring Olympic gold medal glory together in 2008 – while they also spent a season alongside one another at Paris Saint-Germain in 2021-22. There has been talk of them being reunited at MLS side Inter Miami at some stage.

For now, Messi is recovering from injury in Florida – preventing him from heading to a Buenos Aires for an epic send off for Di Maria at Estadio Monumental – but he said in a video message for his close friend and colleague: “I'm sorry I couldn't be here on this very special night for you, you know I’m trying to get better so I can come back. I wanted to be there, even with this video, and I hope you enjoy this night with your family, your loved ones and all the people of Argentina. This tribute is so well deserved for everything you gave us. On a personal level, we told each other everything we had to say. We were lucky enough to share a year together. Who would have thought about everything we went through in the national team, everything we experienced. Beyond everything we had to go through, we ended up champions of everything. Enjoy it because you deserve it, we're going to miss you a lot.”

While Di Maria is calling it a day, Messi remains very much part of the Argentina set-up. The ankle problem he picked up in the 2024 Copa America final has ruled him out of World Cup qualifiers in September, but the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is being tipped to grace the finals of FIFA’s flagship event in 2026.