No more Messi nights for Argentina as skipper says adios to national squad
"Thank you for bringing so much joy to millions of football fans," said Infantino, who handed Messi a runners-up medal following his side's 1-0 defeat to Spain on 19 July at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
"You are retiring from international football as one of the greatest players our sport has ever seen. I wish you all the best."
Claudio Tapia, the head of the Argentina Football Association, offered lavish praise for the 39-year-old, who skippered the side on 133 of his 207 appearances.
"The captain of our dreams," said Tapia. "That kid – 'La Pulga' – that alien who made possible what so often seemed impossible.
"You are already a legend of this land, of our national team and of world football.
"You made us believe in magic. And perhaps that's why we find it hard to accept that time marches on for you too. The Argentina national team shirt is your flag. And our people's love for you will last forever."
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Inauspicious debut in 2005
Messi made his senior debut at the age of 18 on 17 August 2005 against Hungary in a friendly at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest.
He came on in the 63rd minute as a replacement for Lisandro Lopez and was gone by the 65th after being shown a red card for elbowing Hungary defender Vilmos Vanczák.
A month later, Messi appeared in the 2006 World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. The Barcelona striker made the squad for the finals in Germany, where he opened his World Cup goalscoring account against Serbia and Montenegro during the group stages.
Messi failed to find the net in South Africa in 2010 as Argentina reached the quarter-finals. Two of his four goals in Brazil in 2014 came against Nigeria during the group stages.
In Qatar in 2022, he scored seven times as he inspired Argentina to the crown. His eight strikes this summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada helped take his team to the final, where Spain prevailed 1-0.
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Praise from fellow players
"I find it hard to imagine the next training camp without you," said Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
"Stepping onto the pitch and not seeing you up front, wearing the number 10. I've spent so many years seeing you there that it seems impossible to imagine it any other way.
"How lucky I was, Leo... thank you for treating me the way you did, for everything you taught me and for letting me be part of your story. We're going to miss you so much, captain."
Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez added: "I don't know if there are enough words to thank you for everything you did for us.
"Beyond everything you achieved on the pitch, what stays with me is everything you taught us off it: never to give up, to keep trying after every setback, to work quietly and, above all, to always believe in ourselves.
"We're going to miss you so much, captain. We'll be eternally grateful to have been able to share this journey with you. Thank you for everything, captain!"
Angel Di Maria, who played alongside Messi 142 times – from their 2008 Olympic gold medal-winning campaign and later at Paris Saint-Germain, through to Di Maria's retirement after the 2024 Copa America final – added a heartfelt tribute.
"All I know is that I was born in the right century to be able to witness you play, relish your performances and, on top of that, share all those years with you in the national team.
"To see you fulfil your dreams, and your greatest dream of all – to become world champion.
"Thank you so much for everything; you're a legend and the greatest of all time."