IShowSpeed looked completely stunned when he found out Lionel Messi had officially called time on his Argentina international career. The streamer was watching Fabrizio Romano’s announcement during a livestream when the news appeared on his screen. What followed was less of a normal reaction and more of Speed trying to convince himself that the post couldn’t be real. The 39-year-old Messi announced his decision on August 31, 2026, after an Argentina campaign that ended with a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. He leaves international football with 207 appearances and a record 125 goals for his country. For Speed, though, the numbers almost seemed beside the point.
Speed could not believe Romano’s announcement
A clip shared by the IShowSpeedHQ X account shows the streamer sitting at his desk in headphones and a black “Humble” T-shirt. He stares at Romano’s post, looking increasingly shocked as he processes what he is reading.Then came the plea.“Fabrizio Romano, tell me you’re lying right now… I know you don’t lie. I know Fabrizio Romano does NOT lie,” Speed said.That reaction captures just how difficult the announcement was for him to accept. He reportedly also argued that Messi still has the ability to play and “should NOT retire.”Speed is famously associated with Cristiano Ronaldo, but his reactions to Messi have still produced some memorable football moments. During the 2026 World Cup, he had already shown mixed emotions around Messi, including empathy after seeing the Argentine star cry in the final.
Why Messi decided to step away
Messi’s own explanation adds a much heavier layer to the announcement. He said the decision was made two days after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat. The death of his father, Jorge, in early August then left him “even more convinced” that retirement was the right choice.In his statement, Messi described the decision as something that “hurt, and still hurts, deep in my soul.” After years of giving everything to Argentina, he said he had “nothing left to give.”He also praised the younger generation coming through and thanked the supporters and his family. Messi made clear that stepping away does not mean walking away from Argentina completely. He said he will continue supporting the national team from the sidelines.For now, the retirement only applies to his international career. Messi is still playing club football for Inter Miami.That distinction, however, did little to soften Speed’s reaction. Watching the announcement land in real time, the streamer seemed to be dealing with the end of an era rather than just one football retirement.
