India, Sept. 1 -- Lionel Messi's retirement from international football is going to leave a massive void in Argentine football. There is no second thought about that, but if you look at the bigger picture, it is a huge blow for South American football too, which has now lost one of its last true generational superstars. For years, Messi was the one ensuring South American football continued to stand alongside European football on the biggest stage. Such was his influence that he led Argentina to back-to-back World Cup finals in his final two appearances, at a time when most of the other South American sides were struggling to match the continent's rich legacy.

South America has always been at the heart of football, with Brazil, Argentina...