Soccer star Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on Monday, bringing to a close an international career spanning more than two decades according to CBS News. The 39-year-old forward shared the announcement in a statement on Instagram, accompanied by three pages of handwritten notes reported HOLA. Messi leaves the national squad as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer, having reached 120 international goals in 200 appearances noted Ynetnews.
Lionel Messi Announces Retirement From Argentina National Team
After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team,
Messi said in his statement according to Ynetnews. He explained that the national team had entered a period of transition with emerging younger players who deserve their spot, adding, I’m empty, I have nothing left to give, and now some young players deserve to be a part of it
stated HOLA.
Personal Loss and the Timing of the Decision
The retirement announcement follows weeks after Argentina finished as runner-up at the 2026 World Cup, where the squad reached the final before losing to Spain according to CBS News. Messi revealed that he originally wrote his retirement letter on June 21, two days after the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey reported CBS News.
However, the decision was further solidified following the death of his father and agent, Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 2 at the age of 68 after a long illness in Rosario, Argentina noted HOLA. In his post, Messi explained that after his father’s passing, he doubted whether he could keep playing according to CBS News. Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced of this decision than before,
Messi stated reported Anadolu Agency.
A Storied International Career
Messi made his debut for Argentina’s senior national team in 2006 according to CBS News. His international career transformed from years of heartbreak in major finals into a historic run of success noted Ynetnews. He previously retired from international football in 2016 following a Copa América final loss to Chile, but reversed that decision weeks later reported Ynetnews. He later captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and helped the team retain the Copa América title according to Ynetnews.
Reflecting on his departure, Messi expressed gratitude to fans, teammates, family, and coaching staff reported Anadolu Agency. Thank you for all the love these past 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I’m going to be one of you, cheering and supporting you from the outside,
Messi wrote according to CBS News. Messi currently plays club soccer for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, though his statement did not specify how long he will continue his professional club career reported CBS News.
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