Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the national team, bringing an end to over 20 years of international football. The 39-year-old football legend shared the news on social media, describing his departure from the Argentina squad as a painful decision, but one that he believes is the right time. He said he is leaving with a sense of peace, and expressed immense pride in the moments he and his teammates achieved together — fulfilling a dream that had long been pursued.
Messi made 207 appearances for Argentina, scoring a total of 125 goals. In his international career, he led Argentina to the World Cup final in 2014, where they fell to Germany and finished as runners-up. In 2022, he finally achieved the ultimate glory, captaining the team to a World Cup victory in Qatar and lifting the trophy, while also being named the tournament's best player. At the 2026 World Cup, Messi led Argentina to the final for the third time, but they fell 1-0 to Spain, falling short of defending their title — a bittersweet ending to his World Cup journey.
Messi has won the Ballon d'Or eight times and is a legendary figure at Barcelona. During his time in Spain, he was widely regarded as one of the two greatest players of his generation alongside Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, and their rivalry remains a cherished memory for fans around the world. Following his retirement from the national team, he will continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Messi's father, Jorge Messi, passed away in August this year at the age of 68 following a long illness.
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