THE END OF AN ERA: LIONEL MESSI RETIRES FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

THE END OF AN ERA: LIONEL MESSI RETIRES FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Ohis Asein with Agency report

There are moments in football that words can hardly explain.

Today, one of those moments has arrived.

Lionel Andrés Messi — one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen — has retired from international football with Argentina.

At 39, after more than two decades wearing the famous blue and white shirt, the little boy from Rosario who dreamed of making Argentina proud has finally said goodbye.

And what a journey it has been.

Messi endured years of heartbreak with Argentina. World Cup disappointment. Copa América final defeats. Missed opportunities. Criticism. Tears. Doubts.

There were moments when it seemed the greatest prize would forever escape him.

But Messi refused to give up.

In 2021, he finally lifted the Copa América.

Then came the unforgettable night in Qatar in 2022, when Lionel Messi lifted the FIFA World Cup — the trophy that had eluded him for so long.

He had done it.

The boy who grew up dreaming of becoming a footballer had become a World Champion.

He went on to win another Copa América and lead Argentina to another World Cup final in 2026. Though Argentina lost to Spain, Messi's legacy had already been written in gold.

But today, the tears are different.

Messi says the decision hurts deeply. He says he has given everything he had to the Argentina shirt and believes the time has come to allow a new generation to take over.

He leaves Argentina as the country's record appearance holder and leading goalscorer, with 207 caps and 125 goals.

And perhaps the most emotional part is this:

He is not walking away because he stopped loving Argentina.

He is walking away because he believes he has given everything.

For 20 years, millions watched him carry the hopes of a nation on his shoulders.

They watched him fall.

They watched him rise.

They watched him cry.

They watched him smile.

They watched him finally lift the World Cup.

Now they will watch him from the other side of the touchline.

The No. 10 shirt will remain.

Argentina will continue.

Football will continue.

But something will never be the same again.

The era of Lionel Messi in the Argentina shirt is over.

Thank you, Leo.

Thank you for the goals.

Thank you for the magic.

Thank you for the memories.

Thank you for never giving up.

From Rosario to Barcelona, from heartbreak to glory, from the boy with a dream to the World Champion who conquered everything...

You gave football a lifetime of memories.

🇦🇷💙🤍

GOODBYE, LIONEL MESSI.

ONE OF THE GREATEST TO EVER PLAY THE GAME.