Real Madrid boss Mourinho the latest to reach out to Lionel Messi after international retirement | OneFootball

Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho put historical rivalries firmly to one side on Monday, to send a message of class and respect the way of Barcelona icon Lionel Messi.

Frontman Messi has of course dominated the headlines across world football over the course of the day to date. This comes after the 39-year-old made public his decision to hang up his boots at international level.’

After a tumultuous summer which saw his beloved Argentina bested in the World Cup final, followed in short order by the passing of his father, Messi took to his official social media platforms to announce his international retirement.

Messages of gratitude and well wishes have in turn since come pouring in from across the world of football, for a player considered by most to be the greatest to ever lace up a pair of boots.

And as alluded to above, adding his name to this list of well-wishers on Monday evening was none other than José Mourinho.

After spending much of his original stint in Spain’s capital being terrorised by the brilliance of the Barcelona legend, Real Madrid’s returning headmaster took to the comments of Messi’s Instagram release, to write:

‘Congratulations on a brilliant and unforgettable international career. The next Copa America and the next World Cup will not be the same.’

Conor Laird – GSFN