31/08/2026
𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 31, 2026, 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥.
💔😭💔😭💔
"After all this time that has passed since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to announce to everyone that I am retiring from the National Team…
It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deeply, but I understand that the time has come. I swear that I always gave everything—not only during these last few years when we won everything, but even before that. I always fought and gave my all for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentine through football.
There is little time left, and stages are coming to an end, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, I have loved, and I will always love being part of the National Team. I gave everything I had; I have nothing more left to give. And besides, there are some very talented young players coming through who deserve their opportunity.
Thank you for all the love and support over these 20 years. I am going to miss hearing you from inside the stadium very much. Now I will be one of you, always supporting and cheering from the outside—in good times and in bad times, even more so.
Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I had the opportunity to share this journey with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.
I leave with the peace of mind and pride of knowing that, together with my teammates, we gave you moments that we could only dream of. It was crazy and incredible to have lived it all with you. I love you!
Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.
Vamos Argentina!
I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my father, I am more convinced than ever."
The jersey may be coming off, but the legacy will live forever. 💙🤍
Gracias, Leo. 🐐
