Lionel Messi Announces Retirement from International Football.

Lionel Messi Announces Retirement from International Football

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football with Argentina after making 207 appearances for the national team.

The 39-year-old made his Argentina debut in 2005 and went on to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa América titles. He was also a World Cup runner-up in 2014 and 2026.

In an emotional statement, Messi said the decision was painful but acknowledged that the time had come to close the chapter.

“I always gave everything for this jersey,” Messi said, adding that he had nothing left to give and believed the emergence of a new generation of talented players meant it was time to step aside.

Messi also revealed that the death of his father, Jorge, earlier this month had caused him to seriously question whether he would continue playing for Argentina.

Reflecting on Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain in July, Messi admitted that his body could no longer keep up.

“My legs could no longer continue,” he said. “I tried to push myself beyond my physical limits, but I was unable to.”

Messi will now focus on his club career with Inter Miami, where he is under contract until 2028.