Argentina star Lionel Messi retires from international soccer with World Cup title and 125 goals
SFGATE • • world
Key Points:
- Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer after 21 years, concluding a storied career highlighted by winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.
- Messi played a record-tying six World Cups and finished as Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances, cementing his status among football's greatest players alongside Maradona and Pelé.
- He revealed he wrote his retirement letter two days after the 2022 World Cup final but delayed announcing it due to his father's health issues; Jorge Messi passed away in August 2023.
- Despite retiring from international play, Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami, where he remains a top performer, recently scoring four goals in a single MLS match.
- The announcement received widespread acclaim from fans, teammates, and football officials, highlighting Messi's impact on the sport and his legacy as a national icon.
