‘Won everything’ - Lionel Messi’s legacy assessed as Rodrigo De Paul discusses ‘the best thing’ Inter Miami & Argentina team-mate will leave behind

The all-time great is the most decorated player of all-time, with 46 trophy triumphs featuring on his glittering roll of honour. At 38 years of age Messi is not done yet, but retirement - at least in international circles - is not far off.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner admits that a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela - a contest that saw him bag a brace in a 3-0 win - is likely to have been his last as an Argentina star on home soil.

He is expected to grace the 2026 World Cup next summer, but no decision has been made on his involvement there as yet. De Paul, who now plays alongside Messi at MLS side Inter Miami, said after witnessing an emotional evening at Estadio Monumental: “He's been coming here for 20 years, and the end is approaching. That's life, and the best thing he'll have left, when he decides not to come back anymore, is that he gave everything, won everything, and made a lot of people happy.”

Fellow World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez added on magical Messi: “An emotional night, one to remember, that will remain with us for what Leo means. I'm not just talking about him as a footballer, but about his leadership, his daily lessons, and the person he is.”

Messi has reached 194 caps and 114 goals for his country. His attention is about to turn back to club matters at Inter Miami, but there are likely to be a few more chapters in his record-shattering international career before that stunning fairytale is brought to a close.