Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday, ending two decades with Argentina after leading the country to a second successive World Cup final in July. "It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come," the 39-year-old said on Instagram. He said he had "nothing left to give" and that "some really great young players" deserved their chance, BBC Sport reported.
Why did he announce it now? Messi wrote the message on July 21, two days after Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Spain. He delayed publishing it because his father was facing health issues, PBS NewsHour reported. Jorge Messi died on Aug. 8 in his native Rosario. "Today, after what happened with my dad, I'm even more convinced than before," Messi said in Monday's post.
What did he achieve with Argentina? He leaves as the country's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances, having captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and to Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024. At this summer's World Cup, which PBS NewsHour reported was his record-tying sixth, he played all eight matches and scored eight goals. He had first quit the national team after the 2016 Copa America final defeat by Chile, in which he missed a shootout penalty, before reversing the decision.
How was the news received? The announcement unleashed grief and disbelief in Argentina rarely seen for an event everyone knew was coming, the Japan Times reported. Sir David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, said Messi had inspired "millions of children worldwide" and that his "legacy will live forever." FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised a career that "redefined the beautiful game," and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, in a comment quoted by BBC Sport, said "the next Copa America and the next World Cup won't be the same."
What happens next? His club career continues at Inter Miami, where his contract runs to the end of the 2028 MLS season. He scored four times in a 7-1 win over CF Montreal over the weekend, though the letter did not say how long he would continue playing, PBS NewsHour reported. After his father's death, Messi had voiced "serious doubts" about continuing to play football for "much longer."
Figures referenced: Lionel Messi. — JudgeMarket.
