Lionel Messi has announced his decision to retire from international football with the Argentina national team, bringing an emotional end to a remarkable 20-year journey with the Albiceleste.
In a heartfelt statement, Messi said the decision had been painful but acknowledged that he believes the time has come to step away from the national team.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts in my soul, but I understand that this is the moment,” Messi wrote.
The Argentina captain reflected on the commitment he has shown throughout his international career, insisting that he had always given everything for the national team jersey and for the supporters.
“I swear I always gave everything, not just the last few years when everything was won, and I always fought and gave everything for this jersey, for giving them joy and making them proud to be Argentinians through football,” he said.
Messi, who has experienced both painful disappointments and historic triumphs with Argentina, said he feels there is little left to accomplish as a new generation of talented players emerges.
“I emptied myself, I no longer have anything more to give, and besides, there are very great young players coming up who deserve to be here,” he added.
The 39-year-old also expressed his gratitude to Argentina supporters, his family, coaches, teammates and football officials who accompanied him throughout his international career.
“Thank you for all the love over these 20 years. I will miss hearing from you from the inside a lot. Now I will be one of you, always cheering and supporting from the outside,” Messi wrote.
He said he leaves the national team with a sense of peace and pride after sharing what he described as “dream moments” with his teammates and the Argentine people.
“I am leaving with the peace and pride of having given them, together with my teammates, dream moments. It was crazy to have lived it with you. I love you!” he said.
Messi also credited his faith and expressed his gratitude for being born Argentine, ending his emotional message with a rallying cry to his country.
“Thank you God for making me Argentine. Go Argentina!” he concluded.
Messi added that he had originally written the words on July 21, two days after the final, but said events involving his father had strengthened his decision to retire from international football.
His departure would mark the end of one of the most extraordinary international careers in football history, having represented Argentina for two decades and played a central role in some of the country’s greatest moments on the global stage.
