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Argentina captain, Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football aged 39.
He made the announcement in an Instagram post on Monday.
The 2022 World Cup winner retired after leading the South American nation to the final of this year’s World Cup, narrowly losing the coveted title to Spain.
He disclosed that the retirement post was originally written on July 21, two days after the World Cup final.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time,” he said.
“I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt,” the post further reads.
Since making his international debut for the Albiceleste, Messi has netted 125 times from 207 games.
In his illustrious international career, he also clinched the 2022 and 2024 Copa America titles as well as the inaugural Finalissima in 2022.
His decision to quit comes barely three weeks after losing his dad and manager, Jorge.
After the father’s demise earlier this month, Messi had expressed “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any sort for “much longer”.
