“I gave everything, I have nothing left”: Messi ends twenty years with Argentina

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentine national team on Monday at the age of 39, following their World Cup final defeat to Spain. In a handwritten letter on his social media, Messi expressed that he had given everything he could and had nothing left to contribute. He also noted the arrival of promising young players who deserved to represent the team.

Messi wrote the letter on July 21, two days after the final, which took place in New Jersey, and revealed that his decision was deeply painful but felt necessary. The mention of his father's passing, who died on August 8, reinforced his conviction to retire. Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, though he is considering ending his playing career sooner.

As Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 matches, Messi claimed multiple titles with the senior team, including the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the Qatar World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America. However, he also lost five finals, most recently the 2026 World Cup where he was Argentina's top scorer with 8 goals and 4 assists.

Messi had previously announced his retirement in 2016 after a penalty shootout loss to Chile but was persuaded to return by his father, who acted as an intermediary. Messi expressed gratitude to the fans, stating he will greatly miss being part of the team. The goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez thanked Messi for helping them win the World Cup.

The national team, without its captain and with several suspended players, faces a new cycle. Following the final, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee banned Leandro Paredes for ten matches, Nahuel Molina for seven, assistant coach Roberto Ayala for three, and Thiago Almada for one, due to post-match confrontations.