Lionel Messi's retirement from the Argentina National Team continues to generate reactions throughout the soccer world, but one of the most emotional came from within his own family. Celia María Cuccittini, the mother of the legendary No. 10, shared how the family is coping with the player's decision to officially bring his international career to an end.
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Lionel Messi's Mother Dedicates Emotional Message to Him After His Argentina Retirement
Celia María Cuccittini, the mother of Lionel Messi, opened up about the captain's farewell from the Argentina National Team and acknowledged that the entire family is dealing with the emotional end of a chapter that lasted more than two decades.
Although those closest to him already knew about the decision before it became public, the announcement still had a major emotional impact. Messi, 39, decided to step away after the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina reached the final against Spain.
Messi's Mother Reveals How the Family Is Dealing With His Farewell
Speaking to América TV, Cuccittini admitted that she is still struggling to come to terms with the fact that her son will no longer wear Argentina's jersey.
“I’m watching them and I’m still crying. Even though we already knew, the whole family is very sad, but the important thing is that he is happy,” she said.
The Argentine's mother also remembered Jorge Messi, the player's father, and a question he used to ask himself while thinking about the day his son's career would eventually come to an end: “What am I going to do when he doesn't play anymore?”
Those words carry even greater meaning following Jorge's death and amid a period of major changes for the family.
Messi Ends More Than Two Decades With Argentina
Messi explained in his farewell message that he felt the time had come to make way for a new generation. He also stressed that he gave everything he had throughout his lengthy career representing his country.
His journey with the senior national team began on August 17, 2005, against Hungary. More than two decades later, he leaves with 207 appearances, 125 goals and 68 assists, while also finishing as Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.
His international career was also defined by major trophies. Messi won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Copa América.
