Argentina captain and football icon Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an emotional end to his extraordinary journey with the national team.
In a heartfelt statement, Messi said the decision “hurt and still hurts in my soul”, but added that he had reached a point where he had nothing more to give.
“I emptied myself, I no longer have anything more to give,” Messi said, while acknowledging the emergence of younger players who deserve their opportunity with Argentina.
Messi, who has represented Argentina for more than two decades, said he always gave everything for the national team, not only during the years in which he finally began winning major trophies.
He leaves the national team with an incredible record:
207 appearances, 125 goals and 68 assists
His Argentina career includes the 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph, two Copa América titles, and numerous individual records that have cemented his place as one of the greatest players in international football history.
Messi also thanked his family, coaches, teammates and supporters, saying he would now watch and support Argentina “from the outside”, in both good and difficult times.
The football superstar revealed that he originally wrote the retirement statement on July 21, two days after the final, but decided to make it public after what happened to his father.
“Today, after what happened to my dad, I am more convinced than before,” he added.
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