Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on social media, ending his era in international football. ^[1] Marcelo Gallardo and Francisco Egas, president of the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF), met in Madrid on September 1, 2026, to continue negotiations for Gallardo's appointment as the new coach of the Ecuadorian national team. ^[2] Marcelo 'Muñeco' Gallardo is widely reported by Argentine media as the new head coach of the Ecuadorian national football team, expected to start before the September and October FIFA window. ^[3] Jose Mourinho responded to Messi's announcement on Instagram, praising his international career as wonderful and unforgettable. ^[4] Jose Mourinho stated that the next Copa America in 2028 and the World Cup in 2030 will not be the same without Messi. ^[5] A new meeting is scheduled for Wednesday in Madrid to reach a definitive agreement, while economic terms remain pending and were not discussed during the Tuesday session. ^[6] The meeting lasted more than two hours and focused on strictly sporting topics where the parties found many points of agreement, moving Gallardo closer to the Ecuadorian bench. ^[7] A major challenge for the new coach is repairing the relationship with the fanbase, which has reportedly drifted away from the team in recent years. ^[8] Ecuador lost key references Hernán Galíndez and Enner Valencia, creating a need to find replacements for the goalkeeper and striker positions. ^[9] Sebastián Beccacece left his position as head coach after Ecuador's elimination in the 2026 World Cup against Mexico. ^[10] The last encounter between Messi and Mourinho took place on March 2, 2013, during the 26th round of LaLiga in the Spanish Clasico. ^[11] If the contract is finalized, Gallardo's debut is projected for September 24 against South Korea at the Big Bird Stadium in Suwon, the same venue used for four matches during the 2002 World Cup. ^[12]