Jose Mourinho says football will “miss Messi” after Lionel Messi announced his decision to end his international career with Argentina.
The Real Madrid head coach was asked about Messi’s departure from the Argentina national team and gave his response: “We will miss Messi.”
Messi, 39, confirmed his decision to finish his international career on 31 August. The announcement brings an end to his time with Argentina, for whom he had played since 2005.
Mourinho’s comments focused on the significance of Messi’s absence from the national side. The Real Madrid manager was speaking after the Argentina captain’s decision had been announced, with the future of one of football’s most recognisable players at international level now settled.
Messi’s Argentina career began in 2005, and he represented the national team for more than a decade. His decision to step away means he will no longer be available for Argentina after making his name as one of the country’s leading footballers.
The announcement was made by Messi on 31 August, when the 39-year-old said he had chosen to bring his international career to a close. No further details about the decision were included in the report, but Mourinho was asked to give his reaction.
His answer was brief but clear. “We will miss Messi,” Mourinho said, acknowledging the impact of Messi’s departure from Argentina and the loss of his presence at international level.
Messi’s association with Argentina began in 2005 and continued until his announcement on 31 August. During that period, he became a long-standing figure for the national team, while Mourinho established himself as the head coach of Real Madrid.
The question put to Mourinho concerned Messi’s decision to leave Argentina rather than his future at club level. The report does not state whether Messi intends to continue playing for his club, and it gives no further information about his plans after ending his international career.
For Argentina, the announcement marks the conclusion of Messi’s national-team involvement. For Mourinho, the immediate response was that football would miss a player whose international career had lasted since 2005.
The central details remain unchanged: Messi is 39, he announced his international retirement on 31 August, and he had played for Argentina since 2005. Mourinho, when asked about the decision, said: “We will miss Messi.”