World champion Lionel Messi retires from international soccer with Argentina

Lionel Messi has ended his international career with Argentina after two decades, six World Cups and 125 goals for the national team.

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It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deeply, but I understand that the time has come.

The 39-year-old announced the decision on Instagram, saying it hurt deeply but that he understood the time had come. He thanked supporters for two decades of affection and said he would now cheer for Argentina from outside the team.

Messi won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and led Argentina to this year’s final in New Jersey, where Spain won in extra time. At the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, he played all eight matches and scored eight goals, finishing one behind France’s Kylian Mbappé.

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I swear to you that I always gave it my all, not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too.

His international career began in 2006 and included a long period of frustration before he finally lifted the World Cup. He leaves as Argentina’s leading scorer, with 21 of his goals coming at World Cups.

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Thank you for all the love these past 20 years.

Messi said he wrote his retirement letter on July 21, two days after the final, but delayed publishing it while his father faced health problems. Jorge Messi died on Aug. 8 in Rosario. Messi will continue with Inter Miami, where he recently scored four goals in a 7-1 win over CF Montreal. He did not say how long he plans to keep playing.

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I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, along with my teammates, moments we once only dreamed of.