CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Lionel Messi retires from international football, ending 21-year journey
Argentina’s legendary footballer and captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football. The 39-year-old Messi shared his decision through social media. With this, his remarkable nearly 21-year journey with Argentina’s national team has come to an end.
Messi said he had taken the decision two days after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the final of the 2026 World Cup. He became even more certain about the decision recently after the death of his father. Argentina suffered a 1-0 extra-time defeat against Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
Messi scored 125 goals in 207 international matches for Argentina and is the country’s most-capped player as well as its highest goal-scorer. He made his debut for Argentina’s senior team in 2005.
The biggest achievement of Messi’s international career was the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when he led Argentina to the title. Under his captaincy, Argentina also won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.
In his message, Messi said wearing the Argentina jersey had always been a matter of pride and love for him. He acknowledged that the decision was deeply emotional and difficult, but said the time had come to give young players the opportunity to step forward in the national team.
However, Messi has not retired from football completely. He will continue playing at club level and will be seen on the field for Inter Miami.
Messi’s international career was full of many ups and downs. In the early years, he faced defeats in World Cup and Copa America finals, but later took his career to historic heights by winning three major international titles with Argentina.
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