lionel andrés messi cuccittini, where do i begin? there are not enough words in the english dictionary to describe a player of your calibre and even if there was it still wouldn't be enough. 21 years of wearing the argentinian shirt will never be enough, it should've been for an eternity. from your argentina debut in 2005 to winning the the world cup in 2022, you have given us incredible memories that will live with us forever. you have given your heart and soul for this country and ur efforts will never be forgotten ❤️‍🩹 for all of the highs you have experienced in these 21 years you have also gone through the worst times possible including the gut-wrenching 2014 world cup final loss to germany through to the heart breaking copa america losses in 2015 and 2016. the decision to overturn your retirement in 2016 was one of the best things you could've done as we wouldn't have seen u lift 2 copa america's, the finalissima as well as winning the 2022 world cup after chasing this dream for so long 🥹 messi's international retirement is a sad sad day for us all but it is also an important time to reflect on all of the beautiful memories he has given us incredible memories in an argentina shirt: winner against iran in the 2014 wc, a hattrick against ecuador to save argentina from not qualifying for the 2018 wc, saving argentina from an early exit from the 2022 world cup by scoring against mexico as well as becoming tje only player EVER to score in EVERY SINGLE STAGE of a world cup tournament (this man is exceptionally INSANE to be making records at his age) seeing you lift the world cup in 2022 was one of the happiest moments i have ever experienced. the world cup had always been a trophy that had evaded you but you did everything in your power to ensure the world cup trophy was coming back to argentina. they treated you like a king, lifting you up with the world cup trophy and lifting you up in the air. i would do anything to relieve this again. (pt2 posted as a pic)