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Lionel Messi Announces Argentina Retirement: “I Have No Strength Left to Contribute”

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team, saying he had given everything and no longer had the strength to contribute.
  • Messi, Argentina’s record appearance-maker and top scorer, won the 2022 World Cup and recorded 125 goals in 207 international matches.
  • He will continue his club career with Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, where he is contracted through 2028.

Lionel Messi says he has reached the end of his Argentina career after more than 20 years in the national team. “It is a painful decision, but I know well that now is the time to leave,” Messi wrote on social media on Aug. 31.

It is a painful decision, but I know well that now is the time to leave.

— Lionel MessiMessi explained his decision to retire from Argentina’s national team.

The 39-year-old said he had loved every moment with the national team and had given everything he had. “I have poured out everything I had, and now I no longer have the strength left to contribute,” he wrote. He also pointed to the younger players coming through, saying they deserved their opportunity.

Messi previously announced his international retirement after Argentina lost the 2016 Copa América final. He returned after appeals from the president and fans, then led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar with seven goals and three assists. The victory ended Argentina’s 36-year wait for the trophy. He also won the Golden Ball at the 2014 and 2022 World Cups, becoming the first player to receive the award at two tournaments.

I have poured out everything I had, and now I no longer have the strength left to contribute.

— Lionel MessiHe said he had reached the limit of what he could give the national side.

The article says Messi helped Argentina finish runner-up at the 2026 World Cup and remains second on the tournament’s all-time scoring list with 21 goals. Since joining the senior team in 2005, he has won one World Cup, finished runner-up twice, and scored 125 goals in 207 matches. Those totals make him Argentina’s leading scorer and most-capped player.

Many truly excellent young players are coming after me. They should be given opportunities.

— Lionel MessiMessi cited the emergence of younger players as part of his decision.

Messi said he would continue supporting the team from outside as a fan. “I leave with deep relief and pride that I was able to give you dreamlike moments,” he wrote. His playing career will continue at Inter Miami, where his contract runs until 2028.

I leave with deep relief and pride that I was able to give you dreamlike moments.

— Lionel MessiHe reflected on his international career and the memories shared with Argentina supporters.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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