Lionel Messi just announced he’s retiring from international football, and man, it sounds like this one really stings. The Argentina great said it was a decision that “hurt” him deeply, but that “the time has come” to step away from the national side.
The GOAT’s Unmatched Run Comes To An End
This isn’t just any player hanging up his boots. We’re talking about the 39-year-old maestro who captained Argentina to that incredible World Cup glory in Qatar back in 2022. He’s not just a legend; he’s *the* legend, with a mind-blowing 125 goals in 207 appearances. That makes him Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and their most-capped player. Think about that for a second! He’s an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, too. Messi said he’s given “everything” to the national team, but now he genuinely feels he has “nothing left to give.” That quote, “Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” really hits hard. He clearly loves, has loved, and will always love being part of the national team. But he also recognizes there are “really great young players coming through behind me who deserve their chance.” Talk about going out on your own terms and paving the way.
More Than Just A Game: A Legacy Forged In Fire
It wasn’t an easy road to this decision, that’s for sure. Earlier in August, Messi was already mulling his future after the heartbreaking death of his father, Jorge, who passed away at 68 after a long illness. He even wrote his retirement message way back on July 21, just two days after Argentina lost to Spain in this summer’s World Cup final. Losing that final, and then dealing with such a personal loss, man, that’s a lot for anyone to process. He posted on Instagram that “Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced than before.” It’s a heavy weight to carry.
And let’s not forget how he started! His Argentina debut in 2005 as a 63rd-minute sub in a friendly against Hungary was wild. He got a straight red card less than a minute later after his elbow connected with full-back Vilmos Vanczak. Imagine that tough start for one of the game’s greats! But he bounced back, didn’t he? He went on to grab that World Cup title and two Copa America titles. He’s even second-highest in World Cup history with 21 goals, just behind Kylian Mbappe’s 22, and second in all international goals with 125, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo’s 146. This isn’t the first time he’s stepped away either; he retired from international play in 2016 after missing a penalty in a Copa America final shootout, only to reverse that call later. But this time? It feels different.
What’s next? He’s sticking with Major League Soccer team Inter Miami for his club career. But for Argentina, a new era truly begins. It’s tough to imagine that national team without him, but what a run he had. He gave everything, just like he said. What an absolute legend.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
Leave a Reply