New Delhi, August 31: Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable 20-year journey with Argentina. Messi, who made his debut for the national team in 2005, shared the decision in a post on his official social media account. He admitted that walking away was painful, but said he had come to believe it was the right time.
“I am retiring from the National Team,” Messi wrote. “It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts, to my core, but I understand that it’s the right time.” The Argentine great said he had always given everything for the national team and its jersey, not just during the years when Argentina won major titles, but throughout his career. “I have nothing more to give,” he wrote, while also pointing to the young players coming through who, he said, “deserve to be there”.
Messi’s post can be seen here.
Messi made more than 200 appearances for Argentina and became the country’s most prolific goalscorer, with 125 goals. He played at six World Cups and is the only player to have won the Golden Ball twice, in 2014 and 2022. His defining moment with Argentina came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he finally lifted the trophy after featuring in three World Cup finals.
Looking back on his time with the national team, Messi thanked his family, coaches, teammates and managers, as well as the supporters who stood by him throughout his career.
“I love, loved, and will always love being on the National Team,” he wrote. Messi said he would now be “just one of you”, cheering for Argentina from the sidelines. He also revealed that he had written the post on July 21, two days after the final, and said that after what happened with his father, he was “even more convinced than before” about his decision. “Thank you, God, for making me Argentinian. Go Argentina!” Messi wrote.
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