Messi: After the Final, I Thought It Over Repeatedly and Decided to Retire from the Argentina National Team

Messi’s Full Social Media Statement

After the final, I thought about it for a long time. Now I want to tell everyone: I am going to retire from the Argentina national team...

This is a decision that has caused me tremendous pain, both in the past and now. But I know that it is time to move forward. I can promise you that I have always given everything I had. Not only during these years when we achieved honors, but throughout the years before that as well. I gave my all for this shirt, simply to bring you joy and to make you proud to be Argentine through football.

Every stage of life eventually comes to an end, one after another. Saying goodbye to this chapter is truly difficult for me. I have loved, still love, and will always love wearing the Argentina national team shirt. I have given everything I have, and there is nothing more I can give. At the same time, there is now a new generation of talented young players who deserve their opportunity.

Thank you to everyone for all the love you have given me over these past 20 years. I will especially miss hearing you cheering inside the stadium. From now on, I will be just like you, an ordinary fan. Through the good times and the bad, I will continue to support and stand behind the national team just as I always have.

Thank you to my family for always being by my side and accompanying me throughout this wonderful yet incredibly difficult journey. Thank you to all the coaches, teammates, and staff members I have worked with. I have gained memories that I will never forget for the rest of my life.

I say goodbye with peace of mind and immense pride. Together with my teammates, I was able to give you those unforgettable moments when dreams came true. To have experienced all of this together with you feels like a dream.

I love you all! Thank God for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!

I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Now, after what happened with my father, I am more certain of this decision than ever.

(End of statement)