Messi announces international retirement after father’s death

Lionel Messi said the death of his father pushed him to retire from Argentina’s national team, ending a 20-year international career marked by major titles and painful defeats.

In a handwritten letter posted on Instagram, Messi described the decision as one that still hurt. He said he had always given everything for the national jersey and wanted to bring joy and pride to Argentines through football.

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It was a decision that hurt - and still hurts deep down - but I understand that the time has come.

Messi wrote that he needed to begin closing some chapters. He thanked his family, teammates, coaches and directors, and said he would miss hearing Argentina’s supporters from the pitch. He said he would now join the crowd, cheering for the team in good times and bad.

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I loved, love, and will continue loving this national team. I will miss hearing the fans from inside the pitch.

The player said he wrote the letter two days after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain, but made his retirement decision a week later, after his father’s death. The Instagram post included the letter and a video covering his two decades with Argentina.

Messi had previously announced his international retirement in 2016 after losing a third consecutive final to Chile in the Copa America. He returned in 2018 and won three tournaments late in his career, including the 2022 World Cup. At the most recent World Cup, he scored eight goals and provided four assists before Argentina again lost the final to Spain.

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I leave with peace of mind and pride, knowing that my teammates and I gave you all dreamlike moments.