Claudio Tapia, the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), has addressed persistent rumors concerning Lionel Messi’s international career. In recent comments, Tapia emphasized that there is no external pressure or predetermined timeline for the star forward’s departure from the national team. Instead, the decision rests entirely with Messi himself.

Speculation regarding Messi’s retirement has been a recurring theme surrounding the Argentine squad, particularly during the last two World Cup cycles. Despite his age and the physical demands of professional football, Messi has continued to lead Argentina, most notably securing the 2022 World Cup title. Tapia’s remarks serve to quiet ongoing media conjecture, framing the situation as a matter of personal choice rather than organizational policy or physical necessity. While fans and pundits frequently debate how much longer the 37-year-old can compete at the highest level, the AFA has signaled that it will support whatever timeline the player chooses to follow. There has been no official indication from Messi’s camp that a retirement date is imminent, and the AFA chief’s comments suggest that the organization remains committed to facilitating his tenure for as long as he desires to play.