Lionel Messi Announces Departure from Argentina National Team

Messi Bids Farewell to National Team

On Monday, Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to their World Cup triumph in 2022 and the finals in 2026, shared an emotional message on Instagram announcing his departure from the national squad.

In his heartfelt post, the 39-year-old expressed, "This decision has been painful — and it still weighs heavily on me — but I recognize that the moment has arrived. I promise you that I always gave my all — not just in the recent years when we achieved everything, but even before that; I consistently fought and poured my heart into every match for this jersey, aiming to bring you joy and instill pride in being Argentine through football."

He further stated, "I depart with a sense of peace and pride, knowing that I, along with my teammates, have provided you with moments we once only dreamed of."