Lionel Messi has brought his Argentina career to an end after earning 207 caps for the national team.
The 39-year-old made his senior debut for Argentina in 2005 and went on to enjoy one of the most decorated international careers in football history. His major achievements include the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa América titles.
Messi also finished as a World Cup runner-up in 2014 and again this summer, before deciding that the time had come to close the chapter on his international career.
In his retirement message, the Inter Miami forward admitted that making the decision was difficult but said he felt he had given everything he could to the national team.
He explained that his commitment to Argentina extended beyond the period in which the team enjoyed its most successful run, stressing that he had always fought for the shirt and wanted to give supporters reasons to be proud.
Messi said he had prepared the statement on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, but delayed its release. He added that the death of his father, Jorge, last month strengthened his belief that it was the appropriate time to announce his decision.
Following his father’s death, Messi had revealed that he was uncertain about how much longer he would continue playing for Argentina. He also spoke about the physical difficulties he experienced during the World Cup final against Spain, admitting that his body could no longer cope with the demands of the match.
At club level, Messi remains with Inter Miami, where he is contracted until 2028. He recently produced another outstanding display in Major League Soccer, scoring four times as Inter Miami defeated CF Montréal 7-1.
This is not the first time Messi has announced his international retirement. He previously stepped away from Argentina duty in 2016 after missing a penalty during a shootout defeat in the Copa América final, but later reversed his decision and returned to help the team qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
