Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team

One of the greatest chapters in football history has come to an end: Lionel Messi announced today (Monday) his retirement from the Argentina national team, after more than two decades in the national colors. The decision comes after the 2026 World Cup, where he led the Albiceleste to the final.

"After all the time that has passed since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I am retiring from the national team. It was a decision that hurt and still hurts me deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment."

Messi emphasized that he is ending his journey with the feeling that he gave everything he could for his country:

"I swear that I always gave everything, not only in the last years when we won everything, but also before that. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt."

He further explained that the changing of the guard in the national team also influenced his decision: "There is not much time left and different chapters are coming to an end. I gave everything I had and I have nothing more to give. In addition, there are great young players coming up and they deserve to be here."

Messi also addressed the fans: "Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch. Now I will be one of you, I will always support from the outside, in the good moments and even more in the bad moments."

In conclusion, he wrote: "I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments that we once only dreamed of. Thank God for making me an Argentine. Vamos Argentina."

The farewell comes after 20 years in which Messi was the central figure of the Argentina national team and led it to a series of achievements, most notably the victory in the 2022 World Cup. Last summer, he again carried the national team to the World Cup final.