Argentina great Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football
Lionel Messi has officially retired from international football following a decorated career that included multiple Copa América titles and a 2022 World Cup victory. The announcement follows a period of personal loss and a long tenure representing Argentina on the global stage.
Why it matters
Messi's retirement marks the end of an era for one of the most influential figures in modern sports history.
Argentina star Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football.In a post on Instagram, the Inter Miami forward, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, said it was a "decision that hurt" but that he knew it was the right time to stand down from the national side."I swear to you that I’ve always given it my all - not just in recent years, but in the past as well - and I’ve always fought hard and given everything I had for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentine through football," he wrote, while also thanking fans and his family for their support over the years."I’ve given it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some really talented young players coming up who deserve…
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