Lionel Messi has ended his career as a player for the Argentine national team at 39 years old, after nearly two decades representing the national side. The legendary forward participated in six World Cups throughout his tenure, notably winning the tournament in Qatar 2022 and leading Argentina to the final in 2026, where the team ultimately lost to Spain.
A Final Farewell
Announcing his departure on his official Instagram account, Messi reflected on the difficulty of the choice. “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deeply – but I understand that the time has come,” he stated. He added, “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.”
