BREAKING: Unlike Ronaldo, Lionel Messi Retires From International Football After 20 Years
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on Monday, officially ending one of the greatest international careers of all time.
Inter Miami CF‘s legendary No. 10 confirmed the news on his social media account, calling it a “decision that hurt, and still hurts deep down, but I understand that the time has come.
“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; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
Argentina icon
Messi retires from international duty as a national team hero, rivalled only by the late Diego Armando Maradona.
His 125 goals, 68 assists and 207 appearances are all Argentina records, while he ranks top-four all-time in caps, top-two in goals and No. 1 in assists across international soccer.
The 39-year-old reached his greatest heights with La Albiceleste at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, leading the country to its third title with 7g/3a over the course of a memorable tournament that culminated with a legendary final win over France.
Messi also won two Copa Américas (2021, ’24) with Argentina, and reached the 2014 and 2026 World Cup finals. He is the only player in history to win two World Cup Golden Ball awards (2014, ’22) and the only player to start three World Cup finals (2014, ’22, ’26).
