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David Beckham pays tribute to Lionel Messi following his international retirement

3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 1:17 PM

Last updated Sep 1, 2026

David Beckham pays tribute to Lionel Messi following his international retirement

Summary

David Beckham issued a formal tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentina forward officially ended his two-decade international career. The former England international praised the legacy of the captain, highlighting his development from a young player into a global inspiration for children. Messi concluded his tenure with the national team following successful campaigns at the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America. In his own retirement statement, Messi acknowledged the difficulty of the decision while confirming he understood the necessity of closing the chapter. Beckham’s message, which was shared in both English and Spanish, emphasized the gratitude felt by those who witnessed the forward’s career. The announcement of Messi’s international retirement has prompted widespread public reflection on his influence across the sport.

Source Links

ESPN Soccer Yahoo Sports

Latest Updates

•Lionel Messi retired from international soccer after more than 20 years with Argentina.
•David Beckham honored Messi for his leadership and impact on players worldwide.
•Messi captured the 2021 Copa America, 2022 FIFA World Cup, and 2024 Copa America titles.
•The tribute was shared by Beckham across his social media channels in two languages.

Latest Updates

2:10 PMESPN Soccer — Beckham tribute as Messi retires from Argentina
10:17 AMYahoo Sports — Messi legacy will 'live forever', says Beckham
11:08 PMYahoo Sports — ‘You have been a credit to yourself’ – Lionel Messi earns special praise from Real Madrid legend

What they're saying

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Lionel Messi’s decision to end his international career has prompted an emotional tribute from David Beckham, who reflected on the Argentina legend’s journey and the legacy he leaves behind. Beckham dedicated a special social media post to Messi, praising the impact the Argentine has had both on and off the pitch.
— Yahoo Sports

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David Beckham said Lionel Messi's "legacy will live forever" after the Argentina legend announced his retirement from international football."Leo, you delivered the greatest gift to your country and, for that, your legacy will live forever.
— Yahoo Sports