Lionel Messi has announced the end of his international career. The 39 year old captain of Argentina is retiring after more than two decades with the national team, for which he played a record 207 matches and scored 125 goals.

The eight time Ballon d’Or winner admitted that the decision was painful, but he feels that the time is right. He bids farewell to the national team with pride in the moments he and his teammates have brought to Argentine fans.

Messi’s journey, however, was not without disappointments. Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final as well as two consecutive Copa America finals. The turnaround came with a triumph at the 2021 Copa America and, most notably, the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. He won another Copa America in 2024.

However, a fairy tale ending eluded him in the 2026 World Cup final, in which Argentina lost 1 to 0 to Spain. Nevertheless, Messi goes down as one of the most iconic figures in Argentine soccer history.

(Reuters, Mja)