Messi announces international retirement after World Cup final
BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39. The Argentina captain made the announcement on Monday through an emotional Instagram post. Messi said the decision had deeply hurt him but called it the right time. He made the announcement after Argentina reached a second successive World Cup […]
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from Argentina's national team at the age of 39, marking the end of a storied international career. The legendary footballer shared his decision via an Instagram post, expressing that the time had come after giving everything for the national team. Messi thanked his family, coaches, teammates, and supporters for their support throughout his 20-year tenure with Argentina.
Throughout his career, Messi made 203 appearances for Argentina, scoring 124 goals. This makes him Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer and the player with the most international appearances in South American football history. The 203 matches also highlight Messi's longevity with the national team, as he represented Argentina in six World Cups.
Messi's contributions to Argentina's success are evident not only in his statistics but also in the trophies the team won with him. He played a crucial role in Argentina's victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ending a 36-year wait for the title and securing the country's third World Cup win. Additionally, Messi helped Argentina clinch two Copa América titles, in 2021 and 2024, bringing the country's total to three international championships.
With his retirement, Messi leaves Argentina as an all-time great, having achieved unparalleled success on the international stage.
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