Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has described Lionel Messi as “the best in the world” while reacting to the Argentine superstar’s decision to retire from international football.
Flick said Messi produced a “spectacular World Cup” for Argentina and admitted he was saddened by the announcement, although he accepted that the decision was ultimately part of football and the passage of time.
“Time flies. Messi is the best in the world; he had a spectacular World Cup. I am saddened by his decision, but that’s life.”
Messi’s retirement brings the curtain down on an extraordinary international career with Argentina, during which he established himself as the country’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer and finally delivered the FIFA World Cup title in 2022. His latest World Cup campaign ended with Argentina reaching the 2026 final.
Flick’s tribute adds to the growing recognition of Messi’s extraordinary contribution to the game as the football world reacts to the end of his Argentina career.
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