Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from Argentina duty after winning 207 caps. The 39-year-old, who made his Argentina debut in 2005, won the World Cup in 2022 and was a runner-up this summer and in 2014. He also secured two Copa Am\u00e9rica titles.<\/p>\n
Messi wrote in a statement: \u201cIt was a decision that hurt \u2013 and still hurts deep down \u2013 but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cTime is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I\u2019ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quick GuideHow do I sign up for sport breaking news alerts?Show<\/p>\n
In the Guardian app, tap the Profile settings button at the top right, then select Notifications. Turn on sport notifications.<\/p>\n
If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you\u2019re on the most recent version.<\/p>\n
If you don’t have the Guardian app, download it from the\u00a0iOS App Store<\/a>\u00a0on iPhone or the\u00a0Google Play store<\/a>\u00a0on Android by searching for ‘The Guardian’.<\/p>\n Thank you for your feedback.<\/p>\n Messi said he had written his retirement statement on 21 July, two days after the World Cup final, and that the death last month of his father, Jorge, had confirmed it was the right moment to publish it and end his international career.<\/p>\n Messi wrote a statement after his father\u2019s death saying he had \u201cquite a few doubts\u201d about whether he would keep playing \u201cfor much longer\u201d. He revealed then the extent to which he had struggled in Argentina\u2019s World Cup final defeat by Spain. \u201cMy legs couldn\u2019t go on any more,\u201d he wrote. \u201cThis time I tried to push myself beyond my \u200bphysical limits, but I couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Messi plays for Inter Miami, where his contract runs to 2028<\/a>. He scored four goals<\/a> in a Major League Soccer match for the first time last Saturday to \u2060inspire a 7-1 thrashing \u2060of CF \u200bMontreal.<\/p>\n