Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team.
The 39-year-old soccer star shared this update just a few weeks after the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium, where Argentina came in second place.
Read Lionel Messi’s full retirement announcement
Messi shared this text in Spanish, and it is translated to English here.
After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team…
It was a decision that hurt—and still hurts deep down—but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all—not just in these recent years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.
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 their chance.
Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside—through the good times and the bad (especially the bad).
Thank you to my family for always being there and for accompanying me on this journey—beautiful, yet difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.
I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you—alongside my teammates—moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!
Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.
Let’s go, Argentina!
Lionel Messi’s decision comes a few weeks after the death of his father
Jorge Messi, who was also his son’s agent, died Friday (August 7) at a hospital in his native Rosario, Argentina, after a prolonged illness. He was 68 years old.
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