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Messi ends Argentina run
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday, ending a 21-year career with Argentina after the World Cup final defeat by Spain in July.
“It was a decision that hurts my soul but I know it is time.”
The 39-year-old said in a statement posted on Instagram that he was retiring from the national team, writing, "It was a decision that hurts my soul but I know it is time."
Messi said he wrote the retirement notes on 21 July, two days after the final, and that the death of his father, Jorge, in early August made him "more convinced than before."
The Guardian reported Messi retires as Argentina’s record appearance maker and all-time leading goalscorer, with 125 goals from 207 games, and the BBC said the retirement came after Argentina were beaten by Spain in the World Cup final in the US.
NBC News said Messi’s retirement comes after 207 matches and 125 goals for La Albiceleste, and that he continues to play professionally for Inter Miami.
Why it hurts
Messi’s statement addressed to Argentina fans said, "There’s not long left and chapters are coming to an end – and this is one that hurts me a lot," and he added that he had "emptied myself: now I have nothing more to give."
The New York Times reported Messi said the decision "hurts deep in my soul," and it noted his father Jorge died aged 68 on August 8.
NPR said Messi explained he wrote his retirement letter on July 21 but waited to publish it because his father was facing health issues that eventually claimed his life, and it said Jorge Messi died on Aug. 8 in his native Rosario.
The Independent said Messi revealed he decided to retire two days after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final on 19 July, and it quoted him saying, "After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team."
CNN reported Messi wrote that he would miss hearing fans "from the pitch so much" and said he would be "just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad—especially the bad)."
Legacy and next chapter
Messi leaves Argentina with 125 goals and 207 caps, and The Guardian said he retires as Argentina’s record appearance maker and all-time leading goalscorer.
“Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”
The BBC said the retirement followed a World Cup final in which Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and two Copa América titles, and it described the run that ended with Spain beating Argentina in the final.
The New York Times said Argentina’s next major tournament will be the Copa America in 2028, when Messi will be aged 41, and it said the next World Cup would have one match in Argentina before being primarily hosted in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
NPR reported Messi played in a record-tying six World Cups, won the World Cup in 2022, and led Argentina to the title match in 2014 and again this year when the Albiceleste lost to Spain in extra time in New Jersey.
Sky Sports said Messi’s father Jorge passed away within weeks of the tournament ending in his hometown of Rosario following a long illness, and it quoted Messi saying, "Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before."