Lionel Messi retires from playing for Argentina : NPR
NPR • • world
Key Points:
- Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer after 21 years, concluding a legendary national team career highlighted by winning the 2022 World Cup and becoming Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals.
- Messi played in six World Cups, tying the record, and also led Argentina to finals in 2014 and 2023, cementing his status alongside Diego Maradona and Pelé as one of football's greatest players.
- He revealed he wrote his retirement letter two days after the 2022 World Cup final but delayed announcing it due to his father's illness and subsequent passing in August 2023.
- Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where he remains a top performer, recently scoring four goals in a single match.
- The announcement drew widespread praise from fans, teammates, and officials, including Argentina's president and FIFA's president, celebrating Messi's extraordinary impact on the sport and his country.
