Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a storied career with Argentina's national team. The announcement came Monday via social media, where the football star revealed he had been contemplating the decision since this past summer's World Cup final.
"After all the time that has passed since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I am retiring from the national team," Messi wrote in his post. He described the choice as one that caused him considerable anguish, noting that "it was a decision that hurt me and still hurts me deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment."
The 37-year-old forward had just led Argentina to its second consecutive World Cup final appearance this summer, capping a remarkable late-career run with the national squad. In his farewell message, Messi reflected on his years wearing the light blue and white stripes, emphasizing that his commitment extended far beyond the team's recent trophy-winning period.
"I swear I always gave everything," he stated. "Not just in recent years, when we won everything, but also before that." Messi stressed that throughout his international career, his goal was to fight for the jersey and bring joy to Argentine supporters. "I always fought and gave my all for this shirt, to make you happy and make you feel proud to be Argentinians through football," he wrote.
The announcement marks the conclusion of Messi's lengthy international career, though he acknowledged the emotional difficulty of stepping away even as he affirmed the timing felt appropriate.
