Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable international careers in football history.
The Argentine star shared a farewell letter on social media, revealing that he had written the message two days after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain. Messi, who turned 39 in June, said the decision was painful but that he believes the time has come to leave the national team.
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In his message, Messi said he had always given everything for Argentina, including during the years before the team’s most successful period. He emphasized that his commitment was driven by his desire to bring joy to supporters and make Argentines proud through football.
“I gave everything, I have nothing more to give,” Messi wrote, while also pointing to the emergence of younger players who now deserve opportunities with the national team.
This is the second time Messi has announced his departure from Argentina. In 2016, following the team’s Copa América final defeat to Chile, he announced that he was stepping away from international football. He later reversed that decision and continued his international career.
Messi’s second retirement comes after two decades representing Argentina, during which he became the central figure of a generation that eventually delivered major international trophies. His departure now marks a significant transition for the national team as a new generation of Argentine players prepares to take on greater responsibilities.
The forward also thanked Argentine supporters for their affection throughout his international career and said he would miss hearing them from inside the stadium.Messi leaves the national team after an era that transformed his relationship with Argentine football supporters, moving from years of painful defeats and criticism to becoming one of the country’s most celebrated sporting figures.
