Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentina captain, Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, saying the decision “hurt” him but acknowledging that “the time has come.”
The 39-year-old football legend leaves the national team as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances.
Messi announced his decision in a statement on Instagram, saying he had given everything to the national team and now had “nothing left to give.”
He said the decision remained painful but that he believed it was time to close the chapter after two decades of representing Argentina.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” Messi said.
“I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given it my all, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some really great young players coming through behind me who deserve their chance.”
Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, finally winning football’s biggest international prize after years of heartbreak with the national team.
He also played a key role in Argentina’s Copa América triumphs and established himself as one of the most decorated players in international football.
Reflecting on his career with Argentina, Messi said he had always fought for the national jersey and wanted to bring joy and pride to his country.
“I swear to you that I always gave it my all, not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too,” he said.
“Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside.”
Messi also expressed gratitude to his family, coaches, teammates and officials who accompanied him throughout his international career.
He said he was leaving with “peace of mind and pride” after experiencing moments with Argentina that he and his teammates had once only dreamed of.
The announcement comes after Messi had previously spoken about his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who died aged 68 after a long illness.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he wrote his retirement message on July 21, two days after Argentina lost to Spain in the summer’s World Cup final.
Messi’s retirement brings to an end one of the most extraordinary international careers in football history, one that began more than 20 years ago and culminated with the World Cup title many Argentines had long hoped he would deliver.
