Lionel Messi announces Argentina retirement after more than 15 years as leader and captain | OneFootball

Lionel Messi has announced his definitive retirement from Argentina, closing a national-team career crowned by the 2022 World Cup.

According to SuperDepor.com, he confirmed the news in a letter on social media on Monday, stating that his final appearance came in the World Cup final.

Messi played six World Cups, and captained Argentina at four of them. As a youth he rejected approaches from the Spanish federation while excelling at Barcelona, underlining his commitment to Argentina. Comparisons with Diego Maradona began early, often sharpened by their differing personalities.

Diego Armando Maradona first entrusted him with the armband on 22 June 2010, a 2-0 win over Greece in South Africa. It came in Argentina’s third match of the 2010 World Cup, when he was 23.

After the 2011 Copa América, Alejandro Sabella made him the team’s undisputed captain. Sabella described him as quiet, respectful and calm, and felt the responsibility would help him mature and carry greater authority. He travelled to Europe in 2011 to inform Messi in person.

His reserved style drew criticism, but in 2019 he fiercely criticised CONMEBOL after the Copa América semi-final defeat in Brazil. That moment marked a shift towards a more vocal captaincy, strengthened under Lionel Scaloni amid a young group who admire him.

Source: SuperDepor.com

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