Antonela Roccuzzo sends emotional message to Lionel Messi: “I’m proud of you”

Antonela Roccuzzo answered Lionel Messi’s retirement announcement with a family tribute and a declaration of pride in his Argentina career.

Roccuzzo shared photographs of the family on social media and highlighted the privilege of standing beside Messi through difficult periods and his biggest achievements. Those successes included Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory. She also commented on the video in which Messi announced his departure, a post accompanied by a song by Soledad Pastorutti.

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I’m proud of you.

In her message, Roccuzzo said Messi deserved to fulfill all his sporting dreams. Her response followed Messi’s official announcement on Aug. 31, 2026, ending a national-team career that had lasted 20 years.

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It hurts in my soul.

Messi wrote that the decision “hurts in my soul,” but said he understood that it was time to step aside. He said he had always given everything for the Argentina shirt and would now support the team from outside as one more fan. He said he wrote the retirement message on July 21, 2026, two days after the season final, and reaffirmed the decision weeks later.

The article says Messi’s future will remain focused on his club, while Argentina begins a new phase without its historic No. 10. It also states that he played in six World Cups, from 2006 to 2026, won the 2022 tournament in Qatar, and finished runner-up in 2014 and 2026, alongside multiple Copa América titles.

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There are very great young players coming who deserve their chance.