Argentina captain Lionel Messi announced about finishing his career in the national team. The 39-year-old admitted that the decision was difficult for him, but he believes it is time to make way for a new generation of players.
“I want to inform everyone that I am leaving the national team. This decision caused and still causes me heartache, but I understand that the time has come,” Messi wrote.
The footballer noted that he always gave his all while playing for Argentina, not only in recent years, when the team won major international trophies.
“I love, loved and will always love the national team. I'm empty, I have nothing left to give. Plus there is a new generation of great players coming through who deserve to be here,” he wrote.
Messi made his debut for the Argentina national team in 2005. Together with the national team, he became world champion in 2022, won the America's Cup twice – in 2021 and 2024 – and the Finalissima in 2022. Messi's last tournament for the national team was the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina reached the final and lost to Spain.
In his farewell address, Messi thanked the fans for their support over 20 years, as well as his family, coaches, teammates and leaders of Argentine football.
“I will really miss being able to hear you on the field. Now I will be one of you – I will root and always support the team from the sidelines, both in good times and especially in bad ones,” the footballer added.
Messi also said that he wrote a farewell message on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, but then did not publish it.
“Today, after what happened to my dad, I am even more confident,” he explained of his decision to release the statement now.
The footballer's father, Jorge Messi, who was his agent for many years, died on August 8.
Let us note that Messi did not say anything about the end of his football career in general; his statement concerns only his performances for the Argentina national team. At club level, the 39-year-old forward continues to play in the US for Inter Miami, which he joined in the summer of 2023 after leaving French side Paris Saint-Germain.
