00:05Lionel Messi has turned the final page of one of the greatest international careers in football
00:10history. After two decades in Argentina's famous blue and white shirt, the 39-year-old superstar
00:18has announced his retirement from international football. Messi revealed the decision in an
00:24emotional Instagram statement saying he had thought deeply about walking away after Argentina's
00:30World Cup final defeat to Spain. He revealed that he actually wrote the retirement message
00:36on July 21st, just two days after the final. But the recent death of his father has made
00:43him even more certain that this is the right moment to step aside.
00:47Messi admitted that the decision hurts him deeply. He said he always loved representing
00:53Argentina and gave everything he had to the national team. But now he believes he has
00:59nothing more left to give. He also said Argentina's emerging young stars deserve the chance to take
01:06his place and build the next chapter of the national team. And Messi's journey with Argentina
01:11has been nothing short of extraordinary. He made his senior debut in 2005 at just 18 years
01:18old and featured at his first World Cup in Germany in 2006. But international glory did not come easily.
01:26Argentina reached the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, with Messi leading the team to the biggest stage.
01:33But Germany ended their dream with a dramatic extra-time victory. Then came another heartbreak.
01:40In 2016, Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile on penalties. The defeat proved so painful
01:48that Messi announced his retirement from international football. But he soon changed his mind and returned.
01:55And that decision transformed his legacy. In 2021, Messi finally won his first major senior international trophy with Argentina.
02:06He inspired his country to Copa America glory against Brazil at the Maracana, ending years of frustration.
02:13Then came the defining moment, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Messi delivered one of the greatest tournament performances of
02:23his career,
02:23leading Argentina all the way to the final against France. What followed was football history.
02:31Messi scored twice as Argentina and France battled to a thrilling 3-3 draw after extra time.
02:38Argentina eventually won the penalty shootout. Messi was finally a World Cup champion.
02:44The trophy completed the biggest missing piece of his career and strengthened his claim as one of the greatest footballers
02:52ever.
02:52Now, after 20 years, Messi leaves Argentina with staggering numbers.
02:59125 international goals, 207 appearances, a World Cup, Copa America glory, and a legacy that may never be repeated.
03:10He is Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most capped player. But his farewell was not filled with anger or
03:18regret.
03:18Messi thanked his family, teammates, coaches, officials, and millions of Argentine supporters.
03:25He said he would miss hearing the fans inside the stadium, but would now support Argentina from the outside, especially
03:33during the difficult moments.
03:34His final message was filled with pride. He said he was leaving with the peace of mind that he had
03:41given everything to the national team.
03:43For years, Messi carried Argentina's hopes on his shoulders. He endured devastating defeats, criticism, and the pain of falling short
03:53when victory seemed within reach.
03:55But he came back. He kept fighting. And eventually, he gave Argentina the trophy they had dreamed of.
04:02Now, the Messi era and international football is coming to an end. The shirt will belong to a new generation.
04:10But the memories of Messi in Argentina colors, from the heartbreak to the World Cup triumph, will remain forever.
04:17The captain is walking away. But his legacy is here to stay.
