00:00Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football,
00:05ending a 21-year career with the national team at the age of 39.
00:11His final appearance came in last month's World Cup final where Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain.
00:19Messi made his senior debut at the age of 18 and went on to become Argentina's most
00:24cupped player and all-time leading scorer with 207 appearances and 125 goals.
00:32His greatest achievement came in 2022 when he captained Argentina to their first World Cup title
00:39in 36 years. He also won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024. In announcing his decision,
00:48Messi said it was painful but that he understood the time had come,
00:52adding that he had always given everything for the national team.
00:57The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will continue with his club career with Inter Miami,
01:02bringing an end to one of the most celebrated international careers in football history.
