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| Lionel Messi |
Lionel Messi Announces Retirement From International Football
Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing his illustrious career with the Argentina national team to an end after 207 appearances.
The 39-year-old forward made his senior debut for Argentina in 2005 and went on to become the nation’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer. His decorated international career saw him win two Copa América titles and lift the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Messi’s decision marks the end of more than two decades of service to Argentina, following a period in which the Inter Miami star had increasingly reflected on how much longer he could continue competing at the highest level.
In an emotional statement, Messi admitted that walking away from international football was a difficult decision but said he believes the time has come to begin a new chapter.
The Argentine icon stressed that he had always given everything for the national team, including during the difficult years before Argentina’s recent golden period of major tournament successes.
Messi also expressed his deep pride in representing Argentina, noting that his greatest motivation had always been to make the supporters happy and give them reasons to celebrate their national team.
He further pointed to the emergence of a new generation of Argentine talent, saying the younger players deserve the opportunity to establish themselves and shape the future of the national team.
A Decorated Argentina Career
Messi’s journey with the Argentina national team was far from straightforward.
Since making his senior debut in 2005, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner endured years of heartbreak, including defeats in several major finals.
He finished as a World Cup runner-up in 2014 before Argentina suffered back-to-back Copa América final defeats in 2015 and 2016.
The long-awaited breakthrough finally arrived in 2021, when Argentina defeated Brazil to lift the Copa América. The triumph marked Messi’s first major senior international trophy.
A year later, he delivered the biggest achievement of his international career by inspiring Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar. Messi scored seven goals during the tournament and was named its best player.
Argentina went on to win another Copa América title, further strengthening Messi’s status as one of the greatest players in the nation’s history.
His retirement announcement comes after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final in July.
Messi’s Next Chapter
Although Messi has stepped away from Argentina duty, his club career is set to continue.
The forward remains an Inter Miami player, with his current contract running until 2028.
His retirement from international football therefore marks the end of one of the most extraordinary chapters of his career rather than his retirement from football altogether.
For Argentina, however, the departure of their captain and greatest-ever goalscorer signals the beginning of a new era as a younger generation prepares to take centre stage.