Lionel Messi, captain and star of the Argentina national football team, announced his retirement from international football after 20 years with the team.
Messi has said that the decision was very difficult and painful for him, but that as he approaches the end of his career, he feels the time has come to leave the national team; he has also said that a new generation of young and talented players deserve the opportunity to play for the national team.
In his supplementary note, Messi said that his initial decision was made two days after the 2026 World Cup final, and that his father’s death made his decision to say goodbye to the national team more definitive.
The 39-year-old won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and has scored 125 goals in 207 international appearances.
Messi is the most decorated player in the history of the award, having won eight Ballon d’Ors, according to France Football; Cristiano Ronaldo is in second place with five Ballon d’Ors.
