

FolioPitch.com – 08 October 2026 | In the wake of Lionel Messi’s announcement of his retirement from international football, an outpouring of gratitude and admiration has flooded social media from his Argentina teammates, particularly those plying their trade in Serie A. The messages from Lautaro Paz and Serie A stars send messages to Messi after international retirement, with players like Lautaro Martinez, Nico Paz, and Franco Mastantuono leading the tributes to the man they call the greatest of all time. Messi, who announced his retirement on August 31, played his final match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin on October 6, 2026, at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, marking the end of an era for Argentine football.
The Serie A contingent in the Argentina squad was well-represented during Messi’s final international camp. Seven players from Italy’s top flight were called up, including Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, Como’s Nico Paz, Roma’s Matias Soule, Santiago Castro, and Leonardo Balerdi, Juventus’s Nico Gonzalez, and Fiorentina’s Franco Mastantuono. Notably absent were Paulo Dybala, who hasn’t featured for Argentina since 2024, and Nahuel Molina, who was suspended. Their collective presence underscored the strong bond between Messi and his teammates, many of whom grew up idolizing the Barcelona legend.
Lautaro Martinez, who has been a key striker for both Inter and Argentina, shared a heartfelt message on social media: “A night we never wanted to come, but I enjoyed it to the fullest like all of those moments I’ve experienced with you. You were, you are and always will be the greatest of all time.” Lautaro’s words echoed the sentiments of millions of fans worldwide, capturing the bittersweet emotion of Messi’s farewell.
Nico Paz, the young Como midfielder, expressed his deep gratitude: “Yesterday, the best player in history said goodbye to the national team, the person who made us dream for so many years. It has been a privilege to play a small part in your career and to be by your side for such special moments like yesterday. Thank you so much for these years that I got to share with you, you don’t know how much we’re going to miss you.” Paz’s message highlighted the generational impact of Messi, who inspired a new wave of Argentine talent.
Matias Soule of Roma kept his message short but poignant: “Thank you for everything, idolo. It was a dream for me to have been able to share your last training sessions in this beautiful shirt.” Santiago Castro, also of Roma, added: “Thank you for all the moments you gave us in this shirt, thank you for taking Argentina to the highest levels, thank you for never leaving this country in a bad spot and for putting yourself bringing joy to the millions of people who watch us across the world. Thank you for having made me fall in love with football and the national team. Thank you for being Argentino. Thank you no.10!”
Nahuel Molina, despite being suspended for the final match, also paid tribute: “Eternal thanks, captain. You deserve all this and more. Thank you for everything you gave us Argentinians. It was a pleasure to share so many beautiful moments with you.” Leonardo Balerdi, the Roma defender, wrote: “Thank you for everything, Leo. You are the best of us, there will never be anyone like you. Thank you for always showing us the way.” Nico Gonzalez of Juventus said: “What a privilege to have shared so many moments and so many years by your side on the pitch. Eternal thanks, captain.” And Franco Mastantuono of Fiorentina concluded: “You will always be with all of us Argentinians. For making us believe and for showing us that we have to try until the very end. Of course we’re going to miss you and it’s going to be difficult without you. But you have left a legacy that will never be repeated.”
The messages from Lautaro Paz and Serie A stars send messages to Messi after international retirement serve as a testament to Messi’s profound influence on the sport. His career with Argentina spanned over two decades, culminating in a World Cup triumph in 2022 and multiple Copa America titles. The tributes from his Serie A colleagues not only celebrate his achievements but also highlight the personal connections he forged with teammates across generations.
As Messi steps away from international football, the football world reflects on his legacy. The Serie A stars who sent messages after his retirement represent just a fraction of those touched by his greatness. Their words convey a mixture of sadness, gratitude, and admiration for a player who transcended the sport. Lautaro Paz and Serie A stars send messages to Messi after international retirement, reminding us that while his chapter with Argentina has closed, his impact will endure forever.
In conclusion, the heartfelt farewells from Lautaro Martinez, Nico Paz, and their Serie A peers encapsulate the end of an extraordinary era. Messi’s retirement marks not just the departure of a player, but the conclusion of a journey that united a nation and inspired millions. As these stars return to their clubs, they carry with them the lessons and memories of playing alongside the greatest of all time. The messages from Lautaro Paz and Serie A stars send messages to Messi after international retirement will be remembered as a fitting tribute to a legend whose legacy will never fade.
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