Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has opened up about the emotional weight of Lionel Messi's international retirement, while also hinting that his own future with the national team could be uncertain going forward.
Messi, 39, recently confirmed he was stepping away from international duty, telling supporters he had "nothing left to give" after having "given it my all" across a storied career in the sky blue and white jersey. The forward's international journey reached its pinnacle in Qatar in 2022, when he lifted the World Cup as captain in one of the most celebrated triumphs in Argentine football history. However, he was unable to add another piece of silverware in what turned out to be his farewell appearance, as Argentina came up short against Spain.
Over the course of his international career, Messi established himself as Argentina's greatest ever player by the numbers, finishing with 125 goals in 207 appearances. Those totals make him both the nation's all-time leading scorer and its most-capped player, records that are likely to stand for a generation given the scale of his contribution to the national team.
Pacapedes, who has played alongside Messi for both club and country, spoke about the significance of his teammate's achievements and the mark he has left on Argentine football. "Leo's legacy will live on forever because of what he achieved, for never giving up and for showing that dreams are hard-won, pursued and, in the end, fulfilled," Paredes said.
The midfielder also revealed that the possibility of Messi's international career ending had been discussed among the squad even before it became official, particularly around the time of the 2022 World Cup final. Despite those conversations, Paredes admitted that nothing could truly prepare the group for the reality of Messi's departure given what he represents to the team and the country as a whole.
"We'd spoken in the final days of the World Cup about how the final would surely be his last match, but even so, we weren't prepared for that because of what he means to us," Paredes explained, underlining the emotional bond shared within the Argentina camp.
Messi's decision to step back from the national team closes one of the most decorated individual chapters in international football history. Having already secured the World Cup, Copa America titles and countless individual accolades, his retirement from Argentina duty marks the end of an era that fans, teammates and coaching staff alike have described as historic and unforgettable.
For Paredes, the departure of Messi also appears to have prompted some reflection on his own path with the national team. While no firm decision has been announced, the tone of his comments suggests he too is contemplating what comes next for his international career following such a significant shift within the squad.
Argentina now face the challenge of moving forward without their most influential player in recent memory, a transition that will test both the depth of their squad and the leadership qualities of those who remain, including senior figures like Paredes as the team looks to build its next chapter.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.