Lionel Messi’s Instagram post on Monday used the word “pain”, the word “wound”, and thanks to Argentine supporters. It did not use “retiro” or “adiós”. International headlines called it a retirement announcement.
“The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal”, Messi wrote, a day after Spain won the World Cup 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
He also chose to hold on to “all the good things” and congratulated Spain on winning the championship.
What Argentine and French media actually report
Argentine outlet TyC Sports reported that the Albiceleste captain has not planned an immediate international retirement, and that a formal home send-off is the expected route.
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French sports broadcaster beIN Sports carried the same line in its French service on 21 July, writing that Messi almost certainly did not play his final match with Argentina and that Argentine media anticipated farewell matches on home soil before any definitive announcement.
French outlet Maxifoot, citing TyC, added that any goodbye would come during a fixture announced well in advance.
Buenos Aires site Popticular put it more bluntly: neither the word “retirement” nor the word “goodbye” appears anywhere in Messi’s public communication after the final.
The Scaloni non-answer
Head coach Lionel Scaloni was asked about the squad’s continuity in the aftermath. He was deliberately non-committal.
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“After a tournament like this with normal things, I think one starts to rethink things”, he told reporters, adding that decisions would clarify in the coming months.
Scaloni also signalled he would work until December and then speak with the AFA president about his own future. He confirmed nothing about Messi.
What Neymar did that Messi did not
An actual international retirement was announced at this World Cup, and it looked nothing like Messi’s Instagram post.
On 5 July, after Brazil lost 2-1 to Norway in the round of 16 at the same MetLife pitch, Neymar spoke to reporters.
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“I tried. It started here, at MetLife Stadium, and I finished here. It is now over”, he said.
Messi has not spoken those words. Until he does, he remains available for selection.
