Lionel Messi Retires From Argentina National Team, Won 2022 FIFA World Cup

Argentina legend Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football in an Instagram post on Monday.

He said he wrote the following two days after the World Cup final and was convinced it was the right decision after the death of his father in August, per the Associated Press:

"It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all— 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. ..."Thank you for all the love these past 20 years. I'm going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I'm going to be one of you, cheering and supporting you from the outside (through thick and thin, even more so). ..."I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — along with my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of. Experiencing this with you was incredible. I love you all."

Messi, 39, leaves the international game behind after establishing an extraordinary legacy in the sport.

With Argentina, he won a World Cup (2022), a pair of Copa América titles (2021, 2024), an Olympic gold medal (2008) and led the country to three World Cup finals (2014, 2022, 2026). He has the most goals (125) and caps (207) in the history of the Argentina national team.

His 21 World Cup goals are the second most in history behind only France's Kylian Mbappé, and his 12 World Cup assists are the most in the history of the event.

That international résumé, paired with an astonishing club career, has made the eight-time Ballon d'Or-winner the sport's GOAT. And no athlete outside of perhaps Diego Maradona has ever been more beloved in Argentina.

But now, his legendary time on the international stage has come to a close.