Star international footballer Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football on Monday. His decision ends his long career with Argentina after the team lost the World Cup final in July.
Why has Messi announced retirement?
Messi said that he decided to retire two days after Argentina lost the final. However, he waited before making the news public because of his father’s health.
Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, died in August at the age of 68 after a long illness. Messi had returned to play for his club Inter Miami after the World Cup.
“After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team,” Messi wrote on Instagram.
“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 said in his post.
He said the decision was painful, but he understood that ‘it was the right time’.
Argentina vs Spain in World Cup
Messi had hoped to help Argentina win the World Cup for the second time in a row. However, Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time.
The 39-year-old played 207 matches for Argentina. This is the second-highest number of appearances by a male international footballer. He scored 125 goals during a career that lasted more than 20 years.
Lionel Messi mourns father Jorge Messi
Previously, Lionel Messi posted an emotional statement about the loss of his father and long-time representative, Jorge Messi, who died at 68.
For the first time since his father’s death, Messi spoke about the huge impact Jorge had on his life and career, calling him ‘father, friend and representative.’
Messi also admitted that he was having a difficult time as he was still playing for Argentina while his dad was sick.
He said he took the opportunity to make one last international appearance in the 2026 World Cup due to the motivation from his father.
Messi’s World Cup record
Messi was named the best player of the tournament when he led Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022.
He also won the Golden Ball in 2014 after Argentina reached the final. The 2014 final was his first of three World Cup final appearances.