Barcelona legend Messi announces international retirement | OneFootball

Barcelona and Argentina icon Lionel Messi has this week officially announced his decision to retire from international football. This of course comes fresh off a hugely challenging summer for the veteran attacker.

Messi guided his beloved Argentina into a sixth FIFA World Cup back in June, heading into the tournament as reigning champions after going all the way in Qatar four years prior.

This time round, however, after a long and difficult road to the competition’s finale, the Albiceleste were put to the sword by a vastly superior Spain side.

From here, mere weeks on from a heartbreaking defeat in New York, Messi was then forced to come to terms with the passing of his father, Jorge.

And as alluded to above, these two major setbacks appear to have taken a firm toll on a player who is now less than 12 months out from his 40th birthday.

As confirmed in a lengthy statement released by Messi on Monday, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has retired from international football with immediate effect:

“I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced of this decision than before.

”After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team…

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.

“I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

“There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give.

“Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here.

“Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones.

“Thank you to my family for always being there and for being with me throughout this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every coach, teammate and director I had the chance to share it with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

“I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of. It was crazy to experience all of this with you. I love you!

“Thank you God for making me Argentine.

“Vamos Argentina!”

Conor Laird – GSFN