Lionel Messi is done playing for Argentina, but Coral Gables residents can still watch him play.

The 39-year-old forward announced his retirement from Argentina's national team Aug. 31, ending a 21-year international career in which he scored 125 goals across 207 appearances. He remains under contract with Inter Miami through the 2028 MLS season.

Messi posted to Instagram a handwritten farewell letter he wrote July 21, two days after Argentina's 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the New York Post reported. He waited six weeks to publish it.

Messi wrote that the decision still hurt but that he understood it was the right moment. He added that he had given everything to the national team and that young players behind him deserved their chance.

His father, Jorge Messi, died Aug. 8 in Rosario, Argentina, at age 68 after a long illness, Newsweek reported. In his letter, Messi referenced the loss, writing that his father's death made him "more convinced than ever."

Coral Gables students react to his retirement

At Coral Gables Senior High School, students who can catch Messi at Inter Miami's Nu Stadium, just miles from campus, said the retirement hit hard. CavsConnect, the school's student newspaper, gathered reactions in a Sept. 24 story by student journalist Esther Yupanqui.

"As someone from Argentina, I grew up watching Messi represent our country, so everything he's accomplished with Argentina, especially with the World Cup, is something I'll always be proud to say I'm from the same country," junior Sol Blaylock told CavsConnect.

Freshman Benjamin Baraloto said Messi brought "inspiration to a lot of young people" through his achievements. Freshman Chloe Salas praised his on-field intelligence, saying Messi "can dribble like nobody else can."

A decorated career ends with an Oct. 6 farewell

Messi's international career included the 2022 World Cup title, the 2021 Copa América and the 2024 Copa América. At the 2026 World Cup, he scored eight goals and added four assists before Argentina fell to Spain in the final. He finished with 21 World Cup goals across six tournaments, second all-time behind France's Kylian Mbappé, according to amNewYork.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni called Messi "the best football player who has ever stepped on a pitch," according to amNewYork.

Argentina's farewell match for Messi is set for Oct. 6 against Benin at River Plate's Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Al Jazeera reported. Argentine Football Association President Claudio Tapia invited all of Argentina's 2022 World Cup champions to attend.

Messi keeps scoring for Inter Miami

Closer to home, Messi scored his 101st Inter Miami goal Sept. 20 in a 2-2 draw with San Diego FC at Nu Stadium. Inter Miami (12-4-10) sits third in the MLS Eastern Conference and plays at the Columbus Crew on Sunday.