Argentina Star Lionel Messi Announces Decision To Retire From International Football - 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓔𝓭𝓲𝓽𝓸𝓻

Lionel Messi has announced his decision to leave Argentina’s national football team, saying he always gave his all for the country and its fans.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi said on Monday in an Instagram post that he would be leaving the national team.

The Instagram post read: “It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come. 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. 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’s post on Instagram on Monday revealed that he had made the decision just two days after Argentina’s defeat in Spain. He also revealed that the death of his father had influenced his decision, which marks the beginning of a new chapter in his life. In his post, Messi mentioned that it was not an easy call to step aside from playing for Argentina and that it pains him to make the call.

Detailing his journey, he further added that he enjoyed playing for Argentina, but felt he had nothing more to give and thought this could be the right time to step aside and allow the next generation of talent to prosper. The football phenomenon said that he is leaving the team in peace and had actually written the retirement note that he shared in July.

After a career spanning 21 years, he leaves as one of Argentina’s greatest footballers ever. In 207 games for the national team, he scored 125 goals for the Albiceleste and ended his career as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer. He also won an Olympic medal with the Albiceleste in 2008.