31/08/2026
Lionel Messi is retiring from the Argentina national team. 🇦🇷💔🗣
“After thinking about it for a long time, I’ve decided to retire from the Argentina national team.
"It hurts deeply, but I feel this is the right moment. I always gave everything for this shirt, in the difficult years and in the years when we won everything. My only goal was to make Argentina proud.
"I love this national team and always will, but I feel my chapter is coming to an end. There are also many talented young players who deserve their opportunity.
"Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’ll miss being on the pitch with you, but from now on I’ll be supporting Argentina just like one of you, in the good moments and especially in the bad ones.
"Thank you to my family, every coach, teammate and director who shared this journey with me. I leave with peace and pride because together we lived moments we once only dreamed about.
I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. After what happened with my dad, I’m even more certain this is the right decision.
Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!” 🇦🇷❤️
