Lionel Messi Announces Retirement from International Football

Lionel Messi, at 39 years old, announced his retirement from international football in a heartfelt statement on his Instagram account. He expressed that the decision was painful and still hurts him deeply, but he recognized that the time had come to step away.

Messi stated, “I swear to you that I always gave it my all,” reflecting on his commitment to the Argentine national team since his debut in 2005. He highlighted his achievements, including winning the World Cup in 2022 and two Copa América titles, while also noting his runner-up finishes in the World Cup in 2014 and the recent summer tournament.

Following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, earlier this month, he had been contemplating his future in football. Messi concluded by acknowledging the presence of great young players who deserve opportunities on the national team, stating, “I have nothing left to give.”.