"A decision that hurt me inside": Lionel Messi announces bombshell

Lionel Messi ends his career in the Argentina national team. The superstar announced this via Instagram on Monday.

"It was a decision that hurt and one that still hurts me deep down even now, but I understand that the time has come for it," Messi wrote in a highly emotional text. "I always loved being with the national team. I always gave everything and now I have nothing more to offer, and besides, great young players are coming through who have earned their place."

The World Cup final on 19 July, which he and his team-mates lost 1-0 after extra time against Spain, was Messi's last international. He wrote the text announcing his retirement from the national team two days after the defeat, the 39-year-old explained.

"I swear to you, I always gave everything - not only in the past few years, when we won everything, but before that as well," Messi continued: "I always fought and gave everything for this shirt in order to give you joy and make you proud through football to be Argentinian."

How many international matches has Lionel Messi played for Argentina?

Across 207 internationals, Messi scored 125 goals. Both are records. His greatest success came in Qatar in 2022, when he led Argentina to their third World Cup title. At the XXL World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, the South Americans went close again, but this time Spain beat them in the final. Messi had also lost the 2014 World Cup final against Germany 12 years earlier, again 1-0 after extra time.

"I am leaving with the calm and pride of having given you dream moments together with my team-mates. It was crazy to be able to experience all this with you. I love you!" Messi wrote: "Thank you, God, for making me Argentinian."

Following the death of his father - Jorge Messi died on 8 August - he was "even more convinced than before" that retiring was the right decision.