Argentina legend Lionel Messi announces international retirement - ESPN

Lionel Messi on Monday announced his retirement from international soccer.

In an Instagram post showing a handwritten notebook entry in Spanish, Messi confirmed that he is retiring from Argentina's national team at age 39.

And in a footnote at the end, he added: "*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before."

Messi's father, Jorge Messi, died on Aug. 8 at a hospital in the central Argentina city of Rosario. He was 68.

Messi, who played in six World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar in 2022 and led Argentina to the final in 2026 losing to Spain.

The social media post said: «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 Argentina 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 last few 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 to be here.

»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).

«Than