Lionel Messi’s decision to step away from international football has triggered an emotional response from across the football world, but few reactions have been as personal as that of his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini.
Speaking about her son’s retirement from the Argentina national team, Cuccittini said the decision has been difficult for the family to come to terms with, despite those closest to Messi having known about it beforehand.
Messi, aged 39, decided to end his international career following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. While the decision was not entirely unexpected within his inner circle, its official confirmation still came as an emotional blow to his family.
In an interview with America TV, Cuccittini admitted that she was still struggling with the thought of no longer seeing her son wear Argentina’s famous blue-and-white shirt.
She said watching him play could still bring tears to her eyes. Although the family had been aware of his plans, the reality of his international career coming to an end was painful. At the same time, she stressed that what mattered most to her was that Messi was doing well and was happy.
The interview also brought memories of Messi’s late father, Jorge Messi, to the fore. According to Cuccittini, Jorge would often think about the day his son would eventually stop playing football and wonder what life would be like afterwards.
Jorge’s death has added another layer of emotion to a period of major change for the Messi family. His long-standing involvement in his son’s football journey made his reflections on Messi’s eventual retirement particularly meaningful for those close to the family.
Messi’s own farewell message focused on the next generation. He indicated that the time had come to make room for younger players while reflecting on the enormous commitment he had given to Argentina throughout his international career.
His journey with the national side began on 17 August 2005, when he made his debut against Hungary. More than two decades later, he leaves international football having established himself as Argentina’s most prolific goalscorer and most-capped player.
According to the figures provided, Messi made 207 appearances for Argentina, scoring 125 goals and registering 68 assists. His international career also brought a series of major trophies, ending years of frustration for the Argentine side.
Among his most significant achievements were the 2021 Copa America triumph, the 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar and another Copa America title in 2024.
The World Cup triumph was particularly significant, completing a major chapter in Messi’s career after years of near misses with Argentina. The 2021 Copa America had already ended a long wait for a major senior international trophy, while the 2024 Copa America success further cemented his influence on the national team.
For Cuccittini, however, the statistics and trophies tell only part of the story. Behind Messi’s extraordinary international career was a family that watched his journey from his earliest days, sharing the pressures, setbacks and celebrations that came with representing Argentina.
That is why the end of his national-team career carries such personal weight for his mother. For millions of supporters, Messi’s departure marks the closing of an extraordinary era in Argentine football. For Celia, it is also the moment when a familiar part of her son’s life—and of her own—finally comes to an end.
