Lionel Messi retires from playing for Argentina
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer after 21 years, highlighted by winning the 2022 World Cup, cementing his status among the greatest players in history.
- Messi played 207 games for Argentina, scoring a record 125 goals, and participated in six World Cups, winning one in 2022 and reaching the final in 2014 and 2023.
- He revealed he wrote his retirement letter shortly after the 2023 World Cup final but delayed announcing it due to his father's health issues; Jorge Messi passed away in August 2023.
- Messi's international career included a brief retirement in 2016, but he returned to lead Argentina to Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024 and continued to excel at club level with Inter Miami.
- The announcement received widespread praise from figures including Argentina’s president, FIFA president, teammates, and the Argentine Football Association, all recognizing Messi’s extraordinary impact and legacy.
