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Lionel Messi retires from International football

🇦🇷Lionel Messi’s statement in full as he announces his retirement from the Argentina national team:

"After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to let everyone know that I’m retiring from the national team…

"It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deep in my soul, but I understand that the time has come. I swear I always gave everything I had, not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentine through football.

"There isn’t much time left, and chapters are starting to come to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I emptied myself. I have nothing more to give, and there are some incredible young players coming through who deserve to be here.

"Thank you for all the love over these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from inside the pitch. Now I’ll be one of you, cheering and supporting the team from the outside, always, through the good times and the bad, especially the bad.

"Thank you to my family for always being there and for accompanying me on this journey, which has been so beautiful but also so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate and director I had the privilege of sharing it with. I leave with unforgettable memories and moments.

"I leave with the peace of mind and pride of knowing that, together with my teammates, we gave you moments we once only dreamed of. It was crazy to experience all of this with you. I love you all!

"Thank God for making me Argentine.

"Come on, Argentina!"

*** I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more certain of my decision than I was before.

One of the greatest ever to play the game.

Opariiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii................Se fir ni!

fergie001:
One of the greatest ever to play the game.

Unarguably the greatest

Baba agba, Lionel Messi, happy retirement. Nothing in football you didn’t win. You are the GOAT.

Legend!! Very good and wise decision, it's time to give younger folks the opportunity.

😢 We will not see another messi in our life time. Thank you for the game

2030 baba will withdraw from retirement and play Fifa world cup.

All the best, the only GOAT.

You’ve completed football….

Wishing you happy retirement

One era just ended.
If Ronaldo didnt retire, would you have?

To see your kind may take decades

Oga correct yourself. He is not "one of the", he is THE greatest.

fergie001:
One of the greatest ever to play the game.

Football has indeed given you so much. Congratulations Messi!

end of an era my Goat. like if Messi is your GOAT

Thanks for coming to this planet. If there was a Greek god of soccer, it would be Messi

second greatest of all time. we are only waiting for the greatest to announce his

Congratulations, Messi !!!!!

Hallelujah glory be to God almighty

TimiofAbuja:
end of an era my Goat. like if Messi is your GOAT

Messi is not my goat buh I love him

I already paid tribute the first time he retired.

He might just come back again, so until then.

Let's now see how they will be doing ojoro for Argentina

After carrying Argentina on his back, he was painfully humbled by the Spanish in 2026 WC finals.

At least he won the world cup 🏅 once though twice losing it in the finals 🥈🥈.... that's fair enough.

GOAT.. 🐐 greatest of all time

Like for Messi. Share for penaldo

Finally.

One of the greatest men to play football.
Thank you to:

Messi
Diego Maradona
Ronaldinho
Jayjay Okocha
Garrincha
Arantes De Nascimeto - Pele

No player like these men.

The other man in Saudi Arabia is just a goal scorer as we know.

He has done his best and successful and make history that would not be forgotten

Wow!!
And what a career he's had
He won everything
Practically everything

I have nothing more to give, and there are some incredible young players coming through who deserve to be here.

When will Pendu drop ego and find the humility to come to this reality instead of chasing shadow wey long pass am? Man is just ruining the destiny of a whole generation of Portuguese talents

E no for retire na.. he for de pursue Ronaldo international goal record ...mk e knock engine

Tenses:
2030 baba will withdraw from retirement and play Fifa world cup.

He already won it. He played 3 world Cup finals. He is the GOAT.

Greatest of all. I love you