Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has paid a heartfelt tribute to Lionel Messi following the Argentine icon's retirement from professional football, declaring that the former Barcelona and Inter Miami star "can never be surpassed" and describing him as the greatest player the sport has ever produced. Mourinho, who coached against Messi for years during his stints at Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester United, set aside their fierce on-pitch rivalries to deliver a glowing eulogy that has resonated across the football world.
Messi, 39, announced his retirement from professional football on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, bringing to an end a career that spanned more than two decades and redefined the boundaries of what was possible on a football pitch. In an emotional press conference at Inter Miami's DRV PNK Stadium, the Argentine legend said: "I gave everything to this sport. Every drop of sweat, every tear, every moment of joy and pain. Football gave me everything, and I hope I gave something back. But now, it's time to say goodbye."
Mourinho, known for his often prickly relationship with Messi during their time as rivals in Spain, was one of the first managers to pay tribute. In an interview with The Times, the Portuguese coach said: "Lionel Messi is the greatest. There is no debate. I say this as someone who competed against him, who tried to stop him, who spent countless sleepless nights trying to find a way to neutralise him. And I failed. Everyone failed. Because you cannot stop perfection."
Mourinho, who will forever be remembered for his tactical duels with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona during his time at Real Madrid, acknowledged that his rivalry with Messi had been built on "respect, not hate." The Portuguese coach said: "In my mind, when I was at Real Madrid, Messi was the enemy. But even then, I knew I was watching something I would never see again. He made the impossible look routine. The way he moved, the way he saw the game, the way he made defenders look like they were running in quicksand—it was genius. Pure genius."
Mourinho's tribute comes after he had previously claimed that Messi had "something special" that set him apart from Cristiano Ronaldo, his great rival of the era. While Mourinho coached Ronaldo at Real Madrid and has maintained a close relationship with the Portuguese star, the Fenerbahce manager made clear where his loyalties lay in the GOAT debate. "People ask me about Cristiano. He is one of the greatest, no question. The numbers speak for themselves. But Messi has something else. He has the magic. He is football's Mozart. And I don't say that lightly. I have coached some of the best players in history, but none of them could do what he did. None of them could make you feel like you were watching a child play in the street, with no fear, no limits."
Messi's retirement brings an end to a career that rewrote football's record books. He won 12 Ballon d'Or awards, eight European Golden Shoes, and 40 major trophies, including four UEFA Champions League titles, 12 La Liga titles, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. However, the 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain in July proved to be a devastating blow, with many speculating that the defeat hastened his decision to retire. Messi, who had initially hinted at retirement after the 2022 World Cup victory, returned to the Argentine national team to compete in the 2026 tournament. But after Argentina lost the final 2-1 to Spain, he cut a desolate figure as he walked off the pitch in Berlin.
The loss in Berlin was deeply personal for Messi, who had hoped to end his international career on a triumphant note. In his retirement speech, Messi said: "I always wanted to go out on top, but football doesn't always give you what you want. The loss in Berlin was hard. It was very hard. But I look back at my career with nothing but pride. I gave everything for the shirt, for my country, for my family, and for the fans. I hope they will remember me as someone who never stopped fighting."
Messi's final season at Inter Miami was a rollercoaster of emotions. At 39, he remained the focal point of the team, scoring 27 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions and leading the club to the MLS Cup final, where they lost on penalties to LAFC. Even in his final season, Messi's football intelligence and ability to control games were unmatched. His farewell press conference, which was streamed live across multiple platforms, brought tears to the eyes of millions, with tributes pouring in from all corners of the globe.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who presented Messi with the 2022 World Cup trophy, said: "Lionel Messi is not just a football player. He is a global icon, an inspiration to millions, and a symbol of what humanity can achieve when talent meets determination. The world of football will never be the same without him. We thank him for the joy he has given us all." Argentina's President Javier Milei, who had earlier congratulated Spain on their World Cup victory, tweeted his own tribute: "Lionel Messi, you made our country proud. You are the greatest Argentine of all time. Thank you for everything."
The reactions from Messi's former teammates and rivals were equally emotional. Inter Miami teammate and former Barcelona colleague Luis Suarez said: "Leo is the best player I ever played with. He is not just a teammate; he is a brother. I will miss sharing a pitch with him, but I will never forget the moments we had." Neymar, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona and also at Paris Saint-Germain, posted on Instagram: "King. Legend. Friend. Football will miss you, but I will miss you most. Thank you for everything, Leo."
Cristiano Ronaldo, who had a long and storied rivalry with Messi, also offered his tribute. "My rivalry with Leo will always be remembered, but what people forget is that we pushed each other to be better," Ronaldo said. "He made me a better player, and I hope I made him better too. He is a true legend of the sport, and I wish him all the best in his retirement."
Messi's departure from football marks the end of an era. For nearly two decades, he was the standard by which all players were measured. His ability to dribble past defenders with ease, his vision, his finishing, and his consistency at the highest level were unparalleled. But beyond the numbers, it was his humanity that endeared him to millions. He never sought the limelight, preferring to let his feet do the talking. Even as he won every individual and collective honour available, he remained humble, generous, and dedicated to his family.
Messi's retirement also raises questions about the future of Argentine football and the void he leaves behind. Argentina will now have to rebuild without their talisman, a task that seems impossible given the shadow Messi has cast over Argentine football for the last two decades. But for now, the focus is on celebrating a career that will be remembered for centuries.
As Mourinho aptly put it, Messi "can never be surpassed." The Portuguese coach, who once described himself as the "Special One," paid tribute to Messi with a rare display of humility. "There are players who change the game, and then there are players who are the game. Lionel Messi was the game. And now that he is gone, football will never be the same. He was a gift to all of us, and we should be grateful that we got to witness his genius."
Messi's retirement is a moment of reflection for the football world. It is the end of a chapter that saw two of the greatest players in history push each other to unprecedented heights. But as Mourinho noted, the debate over who was better is no longer relevant. "There are some things you just know," Mourinho said. "And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer to ever live. And I don't think we will ever see his like again."
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