Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football with Argentina after making 207 appearances for his country.
The 39-year-old made his debut in 2005 and went on to lead Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, while also winning two Copa América titles.
Messi said the decision to end his international career had been painful but acknowledged that “the time has come”. He added that he had always given everything for the national team, saying: “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.”
The Inter Miami forward revealed that he had written his retirement statement on 21 July, two days after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Spain. The death of his father, Jorge, last month also reinforced his decision, after Messi admitted he had been questioning how much longer he could continue playing for the national team.
Reflecting on his future, Messi said: “I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give.” He also pointed to the emergence of younger players who deserve their opportunity with Argentina. Messi, who remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, leaves international football as one of Argentina’s most decorated players.
