Messi Retires from Argentina National Team: 'No Strength Left to Give'

Football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team.

Messi posted a message on his social media on the 31st of last month, local time, stating that he would take off the national team jersey.

Messi began by saying, "Now that some time has passed since the (World Cup) final, after much thought, I want to share the news of my retirement." He added, "It is a painful, deeply painful decision, but I know well that now is the time to leave."

He continued, "I loved every moment of being part of the national team, and I love it now and forever. I poured everything I had into it, and I no longer have the strength left to give."

This is not the first time Messi has announced his retirement.

Previously, Messi declared his retirement from the national team after losing the 2016 Copa America final.

At that time, following the earnest pleas of his country's president and fans, he returned to the national team. He scored 7 goals and provided 3 assists at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, leading Argentina to its first championship in 36 years, and won the Golden Ball awarded to the tournament's best player for the second time in his career, following the 2014 Brazil tournament.

Even at this year's North and Central America World Cup, Messi showcased skills as sharp as his prime, leading Argentina to the final once again.

The miraculous skills crafted by his feet were one of the greatest highlights of this World Cup.

However, with his energy depleted from consecutive extra-time grueling matches starting from the Round of 16, Messi's Argentina lost 0-1 to Spain, which boasted solid teamwork in the final, finishing as runners-up and bringing Messi's final World Cup journey to a close.

Debuting for the senior national team in 2005, Messi leaves behind a monumental record of 125 goals in 207 total appearances wearing the Argentina jersey.

This is the record for the most goals scored and most appearances for the Argentina national team.

Having built achievements including one World Cup championship (2022), two runner-up finishes (2014 and 2026), and a total of eight Ballon d'Or awards, he is sometimes evaluated as having surpassed Argentine football legend Diego Maradona.

Messi emphasized, "I sincerely thank you for the love you have sent me over the past 20 years. I will miss those moments of hearing your cheers inside the stadium so much." He added, "Now, like all of you, as a fan, I will support the national team from the outside and continue to lend my strength."

He concluded his farewell address by saying, "I leave with a deep sense of relief and pride to have been able to gift you moments like a dream. I was truly happy to share all of this with you. I love you."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.