Goals, records and tears: Messi’s most iconic moments

Lionel Messi has brought his international career with Argentina to a close after more than two decades, ending a chapter he said “hurts me deeply.”

The 39-year-old, who remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, announced his decision on Instagram. He had been considering his future after the death of his father, Jorge, earlier this month.

In an emotional tribute to his father, Messi wrote, “I don't know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I'm really not sure if I'll carry on doing it for much longer.” He later made his retirement from international football public, saying: “Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply.”

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I don't know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I'm really not sure if I'll carry on doing it for much longer.

Messi leaves Argentina’s team as its all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. He scored 125 goals in 207 appearances and won the World Cup with Argentina. Across Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and Argentina, he has scored 921 goals.

The decision brings an end to a successful international career that began more than 20 years ago. BBC Sport is revisiting the goals, records and emotional moments that defined it.

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Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply.