Lionel Messi Announces Argentina National Team Retirement

Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his decision to retire from the national team, bringing an emotional chapter of his international career closer to an end.

In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Messi said the decision had been painful and that it continued to hurt him deeply. However, he explained that he believes the time has come to step away from the team he has represented for two decades.

“I emptied myself, I no longer have anything left to give,” Messi wrote, while also acknowledging the emergence of talented young players who deserve opportunities with Argentina.

Messi stressed that he had always given everything for the Argentina jersey, not only during the period when the team achieved major success. He said his motivation was always to bring joy to the supporters and make Argentinians proud through football.

The Argentine superstar also reflected on the end of an era, saying that some chapters were now closing and that this was one of the departures that hurt him the most.

“I loved, loved, and will always love being in the National Team,” Messi said in his emotional message.

He thanked Argentina's supporters for their love throughout his 20-year international journey, saying he would miss being part of the team from the inside but would now support the national side from the outside, through both good and difficult moments.

Messi also expressed gratitude to his family, coaches, teammates and team officials who accompanied him throughout what he described as a beautiful but difficult journey.

The football icon said he leaves with “peace and pride” after sharing unforgettable moments with his teammates and giving

Argentina supporters “dream moments.”
Messi revealed that he had originally written the retirement message on July 21, two days after the final. He added that following what happened to his father, he is now “more convinced than before” about the decision.

Ending his message with an emotional tribute to his country, Messi wrote:

“Thank you God for making me Argentine. Go Argentina!”

Messi's announcement marks a potentially historic turning point for Argentine football, with one of the greatest players in the country's history preparing to step away from the national team after a remarkable international career.