Breaking: Lionel Messi Retires from Argentina’s National Team

Lionel Messi says he has reached the end of his Argentina career after two decades in the national-team shirt. “I want to announce to everyone that I am leaving the National Team,” he wrote, describing the decision as painful but necessary.

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I want to announce to everyone that I am leaving the National Team.

Messi said he had always given everything for Argentina, not only during the years when the team won major trophies. He said he wanted Argentines to feel proud and to experience happiness through football, adding that he loved representing the national team and always would.

His farewell follows a career that includes 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina. He reached three World Cup finals and won one of them, while also claiming two Copa América titles.

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This was a decision that hurt me deeply and still hurts deep in my soul, but I understand that the time has come.

Messi said younger players with the talent to represent Argentina were coming through. He thanked supporters, his family, coaches, teammates and administrators, and said he would now support the team from outside, in good times and especially in bad ones.

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I have exhausted myself, and I have nothing left to give.

He ended with a message of pride in his nationality: “I love you! I thank God for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!”

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I love you! I thank God for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!