Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday, saying it was a decision that “hurt” him but that “the time has come”.
Cover photo: Getty Images, via BBC Sport
The 39-year-old has scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina, the country’s record scorer and most-capped player. He captained the side to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His last game was the 2026 final, a defeat to Spain.
He said he wrote the statement on 21 July, two days after that match. The death of his father, Jorge, earlier this month had left him “even more convinced”. He added that younger players deserved their chance. He continues at club level with Inter Miami.
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