Argentine Commentator Fights Back Tears on Live TV After Lionel Messi's Retirement

Argentine commentator Pablo Giralt broke down on live TV during TNT Sports Argentina’s Pelota Parada as Lionel Messi confirmed his international retirement. When the panel turned to Messi’s Argentina career, Giralt struggled to speak, briefly saying, “What can I say? No, no, no,” before tears took over. The segment followed Giralt’s long association with Messi—years narrating his journey, including a 2022 interview where he called it a “dream come true.” Messi, 39, finished with 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina and closed his national-team chapter after the 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain, a decision made heavier by the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8.