Messi retires from international football
Argentina great Lionel Messi announces his retirement from international football, saying it was a decision that "hurt" but he understands "the time has come".
Argentina's football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, citing the pain of the decision but acknowledging it's time for a change. The 39-year-old, who led Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022, has an impressive record of 125 goals in 207 appearances, making him the nation's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.
In a statement, Messi expressed his dedication to the national team but admitted he has "nothing left to give." He admitted that the recent loss to Spain in the World Cup final and his father's passing had weighed heavily on his heart. Earlier this summer, Messi had hinted at a possible retirement, but the recent personal tragedies seem to have hastened the decision.
Messi, who has returned to club football with Inter Miami, vowed to support his new team as a fan from the sidelines.
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