Lionel Messi retires from Argentina national team

Lionel Messi, the soccer legend, has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team. The Inter Miami star has been representing the club in international competitions for over two decades. At 39 years old, Messi led Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and helped secure a runner-up finish in the 2026 tournament. In the 2026 World Cup, he scored eight goals in eight games, bringing his career tally to 125 international goals, including 21 in World Cups.

In a statement on Instagram, Messi expressed his decision to retire from the national team, stating that it was a painful decision but the right one. He emphasized that he had given his all for the shirt throughout his career, not just in recent years when they won titles. Messi, who previously announced a retirement after the 2016 Copa America final loss to Chile, decided to return to Argentina and lead them to World Cup glory in 2022 and Copa America championships in 2021 and 2024.

He did not confirm whether this could be his final season in Major League Soccer. Messi conveyed his pride and gratitude to his teammates and fans, saying, "I love you all." The statement was written on July 21, two days after Argentina's World Cup final victory. On August 8, Messi's father, Jorge, passed away at the age of 68 after being hospitalized during the World Cup.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, is currently in his fourth season with Inter Miami. Last season, he led the team to the MLS Cup championship and won the league MVP award for the second consecutive season.