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08/31 10:56 CDT Lionel Messi says he's retiring from playing for Argentina
Lionel Messi says he's retiring from playing for Argentina
By DBORA REY
Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) --- Lionel Messi announced his retirement from
international soccer on Monday after two decades representing Argentina.
"It was a decision that hurt --- and still hurts deeply --- but I understand
that the time has come," te 39-year-old Messi said on his Instagram account.
"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 played in a record-tying six World Cups, won it in 2022 in Qatar and led
Argentina to this year's final, losing to Spain in extra time in New Jersey.
He explained he wrote his retirement letter on June 21 --- two days after the
World Cup final --- but waited to publish it because his father was facing
health issues that eventually claimed his life.
Jorge Messi died on Aug. 8 in his native Rosario.
Messi will continue to play for Inter Miami. Over the weekend he scored four
times in a 7-1 win over CF ?Montreal.
He made his Argentina debut in 2006 but his journey was fraught with
frustration until he finally lifted the World Cup in 2022.
"Thank you for all the love these past 20 years," he said. "I'm going to miss
hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I'm going to be one of you,
cheering and supporting you from the outside (through thick and thin, even more
so)."
In the letter, the Inter Miami captain did not say how long he intends to
continue playing.
"I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you --- along with my
teammates --- moments we once only dreamed of. Experiencing this with you was
incredible. I love you all," he added.
The second retirement Messi's stellar recent success with Argentina nearly didn't happen. A decade ago, before the World Cup triumph and Copa Amrica titles in 2021 and 2024, he retired from the national team. The decision followed Argentina's defeat in the 2016 Copa Amrica final to Chile on penalty kicks, one of which he missed. But Messi shook off the notion of not being able to win the big match. He continued starring for Barcelona, then Paris Saint-Germain, then Inter Miami. He's the two-time defending Most Valuable Player in Major League Soccer, the star of the league reigning champion, someone who still creates goals in the biggest moments. "He is pure history," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said during the recent World Cup. "History. A legend." ___ AP Sports writer Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this report. ___ See AP's full soccer coverage here
The second retirement Messi's stellar recent success with Argentina nearly didn't happen. A decade ago, before the World Cup triumph and Copa Amrica titles in 2021 and 2024, he retired from the national team. The decision followed Argentina's defeat in the 2016 Copa Amrica final to Chile on penalty kicks, one of which he missed. But Messi shook off the notion of not being able to win the big match. He continued starring for Barcelona, then Paris Saint-Germain, then Inter Miami. He's the two-time defending Most Valuable Player in Major League Soccer, the star of the league reigning champion, someone who still creates goals in the biggest moments. "He is pure history," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said during the recent World Cup. "History. A legend." ___ AP Sports writer Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this report. ___ See AP's full soccer coverage here
