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SportsMarca Reporter Praises Messi's Exemplary Conduct After National Team Retirement
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Argentine star Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the national team on Monday. Marca journalist Juan Castro wrote a column paying tribute to Messi, reflecting on witnessing his six World Cup journeys from 2006 to the 2022 Qatar World Cup victory. Castro emphasized that he learned more from Messi in defeat than in victory, noting how Messi considered retiring after the 2016 Copa America final loss but chose to return. The reporter highlighted Messi's willingness to give interviews regardless of winning or losing, even staying late to chat with print journalists. Castro described Messi as full of humanity, having won everything but also lost significant matches like the 2014 World Cup and consecutive Copa America finals, yet never stopped trying. The column dismissed criticism of Messi not looking at Rodri during a recent award ceremony as a minor episode in a 20-year career, stating Messi's conduct has been exemplary. Castro concluded that Messi, in his view on par with Pele and Maradona, deserved the World Cup honor and expressed that he will be missed.
Source report
Hupu, September 1st — Argentine star Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the national team on Monday. Marca journalist Juan Castro has written a column paying tribute to the legendary forward.
A Witness to Six World Cups
"I had the privilege of representing Marca to witness Messi's six World Cup journeys. From the narrow defeat to Germany under Pekerman in 2006, to the final loss to Spain on July 19th this year, I was there."
Castro recounts experiencing both the pain of two Copa América final defeats and the joy of two Copa América triumphs, culminating in the happiest moment of Messi's crowning as world champion in Qatar.
"For this reason, I believe I have a complete perspective to observe Messi as an athlete."
Lessons in Defeat
Castro notes that he learned more from Messi in defeat than in victory:
- After the 2016 final loss, Messi was disheartened and considered retiring, but ultimately chose to return.
- "The greatness of an athlete lies not in the moment they lift the trophy, but in how they rise again after falling."
- "Whether in good times or bad, Messi was always there, never shying away."
"This is the most touching aspect of the 'Argentine version of Messi' in my eyes."
Humanity Beyond the Pitch
What stands out most to Castro is Messi's willingness to engage with the media regardless of the result:
- He would patiently give interviews even in the early hours.
- He stayed to chat with print journalists after matches.
"In my eyes, Messi is full of humanity—he has won everything but also lost a lot (like the 2014 World Cup and consecutive Copa América finals). Yet he never stopped trying."
Castro adds that this spirit has inspired him to aim higher in covering his seventh World Cup in 2026.
A Final Reflection
Addressing the moment Messi did not look at Rodri during the July 19th award ceremony, Castro dismisses it as a minor episode in a 20-year career:
"Amid countless fierce contests, his conduct has always been exemplary. Sorry, I prefer to remember his good side."
"Fortunately, I witnessed him lifting the World Cup in Qatar. I am genuinely happy for him, because the greatest player of all time (in my eyes, on par with Pele and Maradona) deserves this honor."
"In short, Leo, we will miss you."
Source: Marca
Posted in Shanghai | Read 424
Source
虎扑 - 足球Neutral / independent
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Messi announces retirement from Argentina national team after World Cup final loss