Argentina’s iconic captain Lionel Messi has officially retired from the Argentina national team. The 39‑year‑old announced his decision on Monday via Instagram, explaining that the loss of his father and a sense that his time on the field was ending led him to step away.
Emotional farewell
In his post, Messi wrote, “After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the Argentina national team.” He added that the decision “hurts — and still hurts deep down,” but he believes the moment has arrived.
Messi reflected on his career, saying, “I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; 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.”
Personal loss
The Argentine star noted that his father, Jorge Messi, passed away earlier this month at a hospital in Rosario at age 68. He wrote, “*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”
Career highlights
Messi leaves the national team as Argentina’s all‑time leading scorer and most‑capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances. He captained the side to its third World Cup title in 2022 and added Copa América victories in 2021 and 2024 after an earlier retirement attempt in 2016.
The 2026 World Cup, his sixth, saw Argentina reach the final against Spain, where they fell 1‑0 in extra time. Messi’s performance earned him a second World Cup Golden Ball, and he now ranks second on the all‑time World Cup scoring list with 21 goals, behind France’s Kylian Mbappé.
Looking ahead
Messi expressed confidence in the next generation, stating, “There are some brilliant young players coming through who deserve their place.” He will be 41 at the 2028 Copa América and 43 at the 2030 World Cup, which will feature a match in Argentina but be co‑hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
While Messi did not discuss his club future, he continues to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, having scored four goals in his most recent match and remaining under contract for two more seasons.
Legacy
Messi concluded his message with gratitude, “I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, moments we could only have dreamed of. Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Come on, Argentina!”
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
