Argentina’s Lionel Messi retires from international football: ‘This hurts me a lot’
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
Lionel Messi has confirmed his retirement from international football, ending a 207-cap Argentina career, in a statement in which he said the decision "hurt – and still hurts deep down" but that "the time has come" for him to step aside for a new generation of players who "deserve to be here". He revealed he actually wrote the statement on 21 July, two days after this summer's World Cup final defeat by Spain, but held off publishing it until the death of his father, Jorge, last month, which he said confirmed it was the right moment to make the news public.
Messi, 39, made his Argentina debut in 2005 and won the World Cup in 2022, having also finished runner-up in 2014 and this year, alongside two Copa América titles. In a statement following his father's death, he had admitted "quite a few doubts" about whether he would keep playing, disclosing that his "legs couldn't go on any more" as he tried to push past his physical limits in the World Cup final. He continues to play club football for Inter Miami, whose contract runs to 2028, and scored four goals for the first time in MLS last Saturday in a 7-1 win over CF Montreal; this marks a second and final Argentina retirement, after an earlier one in 2016 from which he returned ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
- Messi confirms Argentina retirement after 207 caps, one World Cup win
- Statement written 21 July, delayed until after father Jorge's death
- Struggled physically in World Cup final loss; still playing for Inter Miami
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Argentina reached this year's World Cup final, having also won it in 2022 and been runners-up in 2014. Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has captained the national side for much of that period and is the country's record goalscorer and cap-holder, with 207 appearances since his debut in 2005.
Messi briefly retired from international football once before, in 2016, after missing a penalty in a Copa América final defeat, but reversed the decision and returned in time for the 2018 World Cup. He has continued to play club football in the United States for Inter Miami, where he remains an active and prolific player even as his Argentina career comes to a close.
The timing of this retirement is shaped by two recent events: Argentina's runner-up finish at this year's World Cup, where Messi has said his physical powers were fading, and the death of his father, Jorge, in August, who had long been closely involved in his career. Because Messi is such a central figure in Argentine football and the sport globally, his departure from the national team marks the end of an era for the country's side.
Full account
Lionel Messi has said he will end his international career with Argentina, bringing to a close a run that began with his senior debut in 2005. In a social-media statement, the 39-year-old described the choice as painful but necessary, saying he had always committed fully to representing his country.
His final Argentina appearance came in the World Cup final, where Argentina were beaten by Spain after extra time. Messi said he had drafted his announcement shortly after that match, and that the death of his father, Jorge, earlier in August reinforced his decision to make it public.
Messi leaves as Argentina’s record goalscorer, with 98 international goals from 207 appearances. His honours with the side include the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles; he also featured in six World Cups and was part of Argentina teams that finished runners-up in 2014 and this summer.
Although he is stepping away from the national team, Messi remains an Inter Miami player under a contract running to 2028. The reports note his continued MLS form, including four goals against CF Montreal, while also recalling that he briefly retired from international football after the 2016 Copa América final before returning.
Where outlets differ
Source 1 places greater weight on Messi’s grief after his father’s death, his physical difficulties in the latest World Cup final and his earlier 2016 retirement. Source 2 focuses more on career statistics, individual World Cup awards and his Inter Miami scoring record and league position. Source 1 says he wrote the statement on 21 July; Source 2 describes the announcement as being made on Monday without giving that earlier drafting date.
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