After earning 207 caps for Argentina, Lionel Messi has declared his retirement. The 39-year-old, who debuted for Argentina in 2005, won the World Cup in 2022 and finished second both this summer and in 2014. He won two Copa América titles as well.
“It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come,” Messi wrote in a statement. “I promise you that I always gave it my all for this jersey, to make you happy and feel proud to be an Argentine via football, not just in the last few years when we won everything but even before.”
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”
Messi said that he had drafted his retirement statement on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, and that the passing of his father, Jorge, last month had reaffirmed that it was time to release it and finish his international career.
Following the passing of his father, Messi expressed in a statement that he had “quite a few doubts” about whether he would continue to play “for much longer.” At that time, he disclosed how much he had suffered with Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain. He wrote, “My legs couldn’t go on any more.” “I attempted to push myself past my physical limits this time, but I was unsuccessful.”
Messi’s deal with Inter Miami is valid until 2028. Last Saturday, he scored four goals in a Major League Soccer game for the first time, leading CF Montreal to a 7-1 hammering.
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