Internet, August 31: Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39.
Messi confirmed his decision in an emotional Instagram post on Monday. He said his time with the Argentina national team had come to an end after two decades.
The Argentina captain said the decision deeply hurt him. However, he added that he believed the time had come to close that chapter.
Messi thanked his family, coaches, teammates and officials who shared his international career. He also thanked Argentina supporters for their affection throughout his journey.
The forward said he had always given everything for the national team. He also said a new generation of talented players deserved an opportunity to represent Argentina.
Lionel Messi Leaves Behind Historic Argentina Career
Messi finished his international career as Argentina’s most capped player and leading scorer. He scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for the national team.
He also became the highest scoring male player in South American football history.
Messi’s international career reached its peak at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He led Argentina to the title after the team waited 36 years for another World Cup triumph.
Before that success, Messi helped Argentina end a 28 year wait for a major international trophy. Argentina won the 2021 Copa América under his leadership.
The team then won the Copa América again in 2024. Messi played a key role in both title winning campaigns.
He also reached the 2026 World Cup final with Argentina, according to the supplied report. Argentina lost the final to Spain.
Messi previously announced his international retirement in 2016. He made that decision after Argentina lost three consecutive finals under his captaincy.
However, he later reversed his decision and returned to the national team. His comeback eventually led to the Copa América triumph and the 2022 World Cup victory.
In his latest message, Messi said he would now support Argentina from outside the team. He said he would continue cheering for the national side through both successful and difficult periods.
Messi also referred to the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in a footnote to his message. Jorge Messi died on August 8 at a hospital in Rosario at the age of 68.
Messi said the personal loss strengthened his decision to retire from international football.
His departure marks the end of one of the most decorated international careers in Argentine football. He leaves the national team after helping Argentina regain major international titles and establish a successful new era.
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