A career defined by triumph and tragedy
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on Monday, bringing to a close a 21‑year international career that culminated with the 2022 World Cup triumph.
The 35‑year‑old forward finished his international stint with 125 goals in 207 appearances, a record that places him atop Argentina’s all‑time scoring list and cements his status among the sport’s greatest ever players.
His decision follows the recent loss of his father, Jorge Messi, a pillar of his personal life, and was delayed in publication until after the elder Messi’s health stabilized.
Messi will now turn his focus to club football with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where he has already been crowned two‑time MVP and continues to chase new milestones.
His brief retirement in 2016 was overcome after a public campaign led by the late Diego Maradona, who praised Messi’s resilience and love for the game.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni described Messi as “pure history,” emphasizing that the player’s impact transcends statistics and will shape the nation’s football narrative for generations.