Milan, Aug. 31 (LaPresse) – “After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it at length, I want to announce to everyone my retirement from the national team… It was a decision that hurt me deeply, and still does, but I understand that now is the right time. I swear I always gave my very best, not only in recent years when we won everything, but also before that. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentine through football.” This is how a long letter posted on social media by Leo Messi begins, announcing his retirement from the Argentina national team following last month’s World Cup final defeat to Spain in New York. “There isn’t much time left, the chapters are closing, and this is one of the ones that hurts me the most. I have loved, love and will always love the national team. I gave everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and there are also young talents coming through who deserve to be here,” he added. “Thank you for all the love and support you have shown me. Now I will be one of you, cheering you on and supporting you from the sidelines. Thank you to my family for always being there, thank you to every single coach, teammate and official with whom I have had the pleasure of sharing this experience. I will carry unforgettable memories and moments with me,” Messi wrote, also posting a photo of the handwritten letter. “I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, truly dreamlike moments. It has been incredible to experience all of this with you. I love you! Thank you, God, for making me Argentine,” Messi concluded. With the South American national team, Messi played in three World Cup finals, winning one in 2022 in Qatar and losing the 2014 and 2026 finals.
Messi retires from Argentina national team: “A painful decision”
Milan, Aug. 31 (LaPresse) – “After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it at length, I want to announce to everyone my retirement from the national team… It was a decision that hurt me deeply, and still does, but I understand that now is the right time. I swear I always gave my very best, not only in recent years when we won everything, but also before that. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentine through football.” This is how a long letter posted on social media by Leo Messi begins, announcing his retirement from the Argentina national team following last month’s World Cup final defeat to Spain in New York. “There isn’t much time left, the chapters are closing, and this is one of the ones that hurts me the most. I have loved, love and will always love the national team. I gave everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and there are also young talents coming through who deserve to be here,” he added. “Thank you for all the love and support you have shown me. Now I will be one of you, cheering you on and supporting you from the sidelines. Thank you to my family for always being there, thank you to every single coach, teammate and official with whom I have had the pleasure of sharing this experience. I will carry unforgettable memories and moments with me,” Messi wrote, also posting a photo of the handwritten letter. “I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, truly dreamlike moments. It has been incredible to experience all of this with you. I love you! Thank you, God, for making me Argentine,” Messi concluded. With the South American national team, Messi played in three World Cup finals, winning one in 2022 in Qatar and losing the 2014 and 2026 finals.