Lionel Messi, 39, has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, stating he has “nothing left to give” after a career spanning two decades. The decision, initially written on July 21st following Argentina’s loss in the World Cup final, was reinforced by the recent death of his father, Jorge. Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, securing a long-awaited title, and also won two Copa America titles. He is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo (146) internationally and Kylian Mbappé (22) in World Cup goals (21). While acknowledging the emergence of young talent, Messi expressed a deep emotional toll from the decision, stating it “hurts deeply.” He intends to continue playing club football with Inter Miami, where he is contracted through 2028. This marks the second time Messi has retired from international football, having briefly retired in 2016 after a Copa America final defeat before reversing his decision. The announcement follows a period of reflection after his father’s death, leading him to believe now is the right time to step away. He expressed gratitude to fans, teammates, and coaches, and pledged to continue supporting the team from the sidelines.
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