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Change interface language Lionel Messi says he's retiring from playing internationally for Argentina
BUENOS AIRES , Argentina — Argentina superstar Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday , ending 21 years of national - team duty that were capped by winning the World Cup in 2022 to secure his place in the pantheon of the game's greatest ever players .
" It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come , " the 39 - year - old Messi said on his Instagram account .
Messi , who will continue to play at club level with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer , played in a record - tying six World Cups . He won it four years ago in a tournament he dominated in Qatar and also led Argentina to the title match in 2014 and again this year , when the Albiceleste lost to Spain in extra time in New Jersey .
Messi stands shoulder to shoulder with Diego Maradona , a compatriot with whom he was so often compared , and Brazil icon Pelé as the greatest players of all time .
For many , he's the best .
" I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything , but before that too , " Messi wrote . " I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey , to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football . "
Messi played 207 games for Argentina and finishes as its all - time leading scorer with 125 goals , 21 of them in World Cups . Only one player has more goals in men's internationals — his long - time rival Cristiano Ronaldo , who has 146 and has yet to announce his retirement from Portugal duty .
Messi became the all - time leading World Cup scorer for a month in the recent tournament in the U.S . , Mexico and Canada , but finished one goal behind France's Kylian Mbappé .
Messi decided two days after World Cup final
In a long social - media post , Messi explained he wrote his retirement letter on July 21 — two days after the World Cup final in which he struggled to make an impact — but waited to publish it because his father was facing health issues that eventually claimed his life .
Jorge Messi died on Aug . 8 in his native Rosario .
Two months after Messi starred at the 2005 world under - 20 championship , scoring both of Argentina's goals in the final triumph , he was given his senior Argentina debut at 18 . His first appearance lasted only two minutes ; the substitute was sent off against Hungary in Budapest .
His journey with the national team was fraught with more frustration — he briefly retired from Argentina duty in 2016 after three defeats in three consecutive major finals — until he finally lifted the World Cup four years ago , either side of also winning Copa America titles in 2021 and ' 24 .
" Thank you for all the love these past 20 years , " he said . " I'm going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much . Now I'm going to be one of you , cheering and supporting you from the outside ( through thick and thin , even more so ) . "
In the letter , Messi did not say how long he intends to continue playing . The recent World Cup showed he's still one of the best players in the world , as did a four - goal display for Inter Miami at the weekend in a 7 - 1 victory over CF Montreal .
" I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — along with my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of . Experiencing this with you was incredible . I love you all , " he added .
The second retirement
Messi's stellar recent success with Argentina nearly didn't happen .
A decade ago he retired from the national team following Argentina's defeat in the 2016 Copa Amercia final to Chile on penalty kicks — one of which he missed .
A public campaign led by Maradona and the president changed his mind and Messi shook off the notion of not being able to win the big matches , returning to the Argentina team and continuing to star for Barcelona , then Paris Saint - Germain , then Inter Miami .
He's the two - time MVP in MLS , the star of the league champion and someone who still creates goals in the biggest moments .
He's also a record eight - time world player of the year .
" He is pure history , " Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said during the recent World Cup . " History . A legend . "
Forever grateful
The retirement announcement sparked a wave of reactions .
Argentina President Javier Milei wrote on Instagram : " Thank you very much , impossible man . "
FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Messi " for an extraordinary international career that has inspired millions of people and redefined our sport . Your magical talent and humility will be remembered forever . "
The Argentine Football Association wrote : " Thank you for everything , Leo . Thank you for representing Argentina . Thank you for making us dream . Thank you for turning so many dreams into reality . The legend is yours , forever . "
Argentina and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul highlighted on social media " your unconditional love for our country , your internal battles to never give up , your strength in always enduring injustices , and your leadership and character in your dealings with every player . "
Leandro Paredes , another Argentina teammate , said , " Thank you for absolutely everything . You are and always will be the greatest of all time . We love you , Captain . "
Defender Cristian Romero said : " I love you , I admire you , and I will always be grateful for the impact you've had on me and on our country . Thank you for so much , Captain . "
