Football legend Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday after two decades playing for Argentina.
“It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deeply – but I understand that the time has come,” Messi, 39, said on his Instagram account.
“I swear to you that I have always given my all – not only in the last few years when we won everything, but even before this; I have always fought and left everything on the field for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you proud to be an Argentine through football.”
Messi has played in a record six World Cups, winning it in 2022 in Qatar and leading Argentina to this year’s final, losing to Spain in extra time in New Jersey.
At the World Cup, held in the USA, Mexico and Canada, Messi played all eight matches and scored eight goals. He finished just one goal behind France’s Kylian Mbappe, the tournament’s top scorer. He finished his international career as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 125 goals, 21 of which came in World Cups.
He explained that he wrote his resignation letter on July 21 – two days after the World Cup final – but did not publish it because his father had health problems that would ultimately claim his life.
Jorge Messi died on August 8 in his native Rosario.
Messi will continue to play for Inter Miami. He scored four goals over the weekend in a 7-1 win over Montreal.
He made his debut in Argentina in 2006, but his journey was full of disappointments until he finally won the World Cup in 2022.
“Thank you for all the love over the last 20 years,” he said. “I will really miss you all on the inside. Now I will be one of you, cheering and supporting you on the outside (especially no matter what).”
In the letter, the Inter Miami captain did not say how long he intended to continue playing.
“I leave with peace of mind and pride in having given you – along with my teammates – moments we once only dreamed of. It was incredible to experience this with you. I love you all,” he added.
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Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday after two decades playing for Argentina.
“It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deeply – but I understand that the time has come,” Messi, 39, said on his Instagram account.
“I swear to you that I have always given my all – not only in the last few years when we won everything, but even before this; I have always fought and left everything on the field for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you proud to be an Argentine through football.”
Messi has played in a record six World Cups, winning it in 2022 in Qatar and leading Argentina to this year’s final, losing to Spain in extra time in New Jersey.
At the World Cup, held in the USA, Mexico and Canada, Messi played all eight matches and scored eight goals. He finished just one goal behind France’s Kylian Mbappe, the tournament’s top scorer. He finished his international career as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 125 goals, 21 of which came in World Cups.
He explained that he wrote his resignation letter on July 21 – two days after the World Cup final – but did not publish it because his father had health problems that would ultimately claim his life.
Jorge Messi died on August 8 in his native Rosario.
Messi will continue to play for Inter Miami. He scored four goals over the weekend in a 7-1 win over Montreal.
He made his debut in Argentina in 2006, but his journey was full of disappointments until he finally won the World Cup in 2022.
“Thank you for all the love over the last 20 years,” he said. “I will really miss you all on the inside. Now I will be one of you, cheering and supporting you on the outside (especially no matter what).”
In the letter, the Inter Miami captain did not say how long he intended to continue playing.
“I leave with peace of mind and pride in having given you – along with my teammates – moments we once only dreamed of. It was incredible to experience this with you. I love you all,” he added.
Messi’s recent stellar success with Argentina almost didn’t happen.
Ten years ago, ahead of World Cup triumphs and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, he retired from the national team. The decision followed Argentina’s defeat in the 2016 Copa America final to Chile on penalties, one of which he missed.
But Messi rejected the idea that he could not win an important match. He continued to star in Barcelona, then Paris Saint-Germain, then Inter Miami.
He was a two-time Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player, a star of the league’s reigning champions, and a man who still scores goals in the biggest moments.
“He is pure history,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said during the recent World Cup. “History. Legend.”
Messi’s recent stellar success with Argentina almost didn’t happen.
Ten years ago, ahead of World Cup triumphs and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, he retired from the national team. The decision followed Argentina’s defeat in the 2016 Copa America final to Chile on penalties, one of which he missed.
But Messi rejected the idea that he could not win an important match. He continued to star in Barcelona, then Paris Saint-Germain, then Inter Miami.
He was a two-time Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player, a star of the league’s reigning champions, and a man who still scores goals in the biggest moments.
“He is pure history,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said during the recent World Cup. “History. Legend.”