Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team after a remarkable 20-year international career.
The 39-year-old Argentina captain made the announcement in an emotional post shared on his Instagram page on Monday, saying he had decided it was time to bring his international career to an end.
Messi revealed that he began considering retirement shortly after the final and became even more convinced following the death of his father.
“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team,” Messi said.
The veteran forward admitted that the decision was painful but insisted he believed it was the right moment to step away from international football.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment,” he said.
Messi stressed that he had always given his best while representing Argentina, including during the difficult years before the national team’s recent successes.
“I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too,” he said.
“I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.
“There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot.
“I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give.”
Messi also acknowledged the emergence of a younger generation of Argentine players, saying they deserved opportunities to represent the country.
The Inter Miami forward reflected on his long association with Argentina and thanked supporters for their continued affection and backing throughout his international career.
Although he is stepping away from the national team, Messi said he would continue to support Argentina and remain behind the players as they begin a new chapter without him.
