NewzLionel Messi said on Monday he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July. Messi, 39, wrote on Instagram: “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time. “I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt,” he added.
Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory by winning the 2022 final against France in a penalty shootout in Doha, but his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Following the death of his father Jorge in August, Messi had said he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any sort for “much longer”. Messi’s contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.
He has played 207 times for Argentina and is also Argentina’s leading scorer, scoring 125 goals. Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, but his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final. MIAMI, United States (AFP)—Lionel Messi said on Monday he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July.
"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time," Messi, 39, wrote on Instagram. BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Lionel Messi has ended his career as a player for the Argentine national team at 39 years old, after nearly two decades representing the national side.Messi, who played in six World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar 2022 and led Argentina to the final in 2026 losing to Spain.“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come,” Messi said on his official Instagram account. “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.”
Lionel Messi has ended his career as a player for the Argentine national team at 39 years old, after nearly two decades representing the national side.Messi won the tournament in Qatar 2022 and led Argentina to the final in 2026 losing to Spain.RELATED STORY | Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 to win 2026 World Cup"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deeply but I understand that the time has come," Messi said on his official Instagram account. Arguably one of the greatest to ever play, the Argentine is hanging up his international boots Lionel Messi recently said he had 'serious doubts' about continuing to play football of any kind for 'much longer' following the death of his father, Jorge, in August.
(EPA Images pic)MIAMI: Lionel Messi said on Monday he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July."It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time," Messi, 39, wrote on Instagram."I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt," he added.Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory by winning the 2022 final against France in a penalty shootout in Doha, but his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final.Following the death of his father Jorge in August, Messi had said he had "serious doubts" about continuing to play football of any sort for "much longer".Messi's contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season. He made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for Argentina. Argentina great’s last game was in World Cup finalPlayer’s father Jorge passed away earlier in AugustLionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football seven weeks after Argentina were beaten by Spain in the World Cup final in the United States.
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