Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in ۲۰۲۲, but his side lost ۱-۰ to Spain in the ۲۰۲۶ final.
Published On ۳۱ Aug ۲۰۲۶
Lionel Messi says he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time,” Messi, ۳۹, wrote on Instagram on Monday.
“I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt,” he added.
Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory by winning the ۲۰۲۲ final against France in a penalty shootout in Doha, Qatar, but his side lost ۱-۰ to Spain in the ۲۰۲۶ final.
After the death of his father, Jorge, in August, Messi had said he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any sort for “much longer”.
Messi’s contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the ۲۰۲۸ season.
