The announcement of Lionel Messi’s retirement from international football has triggered an outpouring of global tributes, with Bangladesh national cricket team veteran Mushfiqur Rahim joining millions in expressing deep gratitude to the departing Argentine maestro.
Taking to social media on Monday, Rahim shared a photograph of himself wearing the iconic blue-and-white striped jersey of the Argentine national team. Accompanying the image was a heartfelt message addressed directly to the forward, in which the experienced cricketer wished him the very best for the future and thanked him for decades of unforgettable memories that brought joy to supporters across the world. Describing the moment as the definitive close of a remarkable chapter, Rahim’s public tribute struck a chord with sports enthusiasts everywhere.
The sentiment shared by the Bangladeshi cricketer highlights the immense, deeply rooted following that both Argentina and Messi command within the South Asian nation. During major international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, streets, neighbourhoods, and rural areas across Bangladesh transform into seas of sky-blue and white flags, driven by a passionate fandom centred around the legendary forward.
Messi formally confirmed his departure from international duty on Monday, drawing the curtain on a stellar twenty-one-year career with the Albiceleste. Since making his senior international debut in 2005, the thirty-nine-year-old evolved from a promising young winger into the heartbeat and captain of the national squad, redefining modern football through his exceptional vision, dribbling, and leadership.
His international journey was not without hardship. Early career milestones were shadowed by heartbreaking defeats, most notably a runner-up finish at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, followed by consecutive losses in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals. Those consecutive setbacks weighed heavily on the forward, briefly leading him to contemplate stepping away from the national setup altogether.
The turning point of his international legacy arrived in 2021 when he captained Argentina to victory in the Copa America final against arch-rivals Brazil, securing his maiden senior international trophy. That success unlocked a golden era for the squad, leading directly to victory in the Finalissima against Italy and culminating in the historic triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In a pulsating final against France that ended 3-3 after extra time, Messi inspired his side through a tense penalty shootout to finally lift the most coveted prize in sport.
He added yet another major honour to his collection in 2024, guiding Argentina to a second consecutive Copa America crown by defeating Colombia in the final. Statistical milestones reflect his extraordinary contribution to the national side, where he amassed 125 goals across 207 appearances, cementing his status as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer and most influential player.
The closure of his international career marks a poignant milestone for an entire generation of fans who grew up watching his mesmerising displays. Mushfiqur Rahim’s touching message serves as a reminder of how sport transcends geographical and disciplinary boundaries, uniting athletes across different codes in shared admiration for a player who permanently changed the landscape of football.