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

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentine national team at the age of 39, just 43 days after their World Cup final defeat to Spain. In a handwritten letter posted on his social media, Messi expressed that he had given everything he could and had nothing left to offer. He also mentioned that younger players deserved their spots.

The letter was dated July 21, two days after the final played in New Jersey. Messi's father, Jorge Messi, who was his agent and a key figure in his career, passed away on August 8, which intensified his conviction for retirement. Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, but is considering retiring earlier. As the all-time leading scorer for Argentina, with 125 goals in 207 matches over two decades, Messi won numerous titles with the senior team, including the 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 World Cup, and 2024 Copa America.

However, he also lost five finals. Messi had previously announced his retirement in 2016 after a penalty shootout loss to Chile, but was persuaded by coach Edgardo Bauza to return. He addressed the supporters, thanking them for their affection over the twenty years. The Argentina team enters a new cycle without their captain and with several players suspended due to confrontations at the end of the final against Spain.