Lionel Messi calls time on Argentina career after two decades with the national team

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football with Argentina, saying he has “no more to give” and that the decision, although painful, is the right one.

The Inter Miami forward made the announcement on Monday in a statement published on his Instagram account.

“After all this time since the final, and after a great deal of thought, I want to announce to everyone that I have decided to retire from playing for the national team,” Messi wrote.

“It was a painful decision and it still hurts me deeply, but I realise that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave everything I had, not only during the past few years when we achieved everything, but before that as well.

“I always fought and gave everything I had for this shirt, to make you happy and to make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”

Messi, 39, said he believed his international career was entering its final stages and that his departure was one of the moments that had caused him the most pain.

“There is not much left, and the stages are beginning to reach their conclusion. This is one of them, and it hurts me greatly,” he added.

“I love, I have loved, and I will always love being with the national team. I have exhausted everything I had, and I have nothing more to give, alongside a wonderful group of young players who deserve their opportunity.”

Messi also thanked Argentina supporters for their backing throughout his 20 years with the national side. He said he would miss hearing them inside the stadium but would continue to support the team from outside.

“Thank you for all this love over 20 years. I will greatly miss hearing your voices from inside the stadium,” he said.

“Now I will become one of you, always cheering for and supporting the national team from the outside, in the good times and the bad, especially during the difficult moments.”

The forward paid tribute to his family, as well as the coaches, team-mates and officials who had shared his career with Argentina.

“Thank you to my family for always being by my side, and for accompanying me on this beautiful journey, despite how difficult it was,” Messi said.

“Thank you to every coach, team-mate and official with whom I had the chance to share this journey. I will carry with me unforgettable memories and moments that I experienced throughout this period.”

Messi ended his statement by expressing pride in what he and his team-mates had achieved for Argentina.

“I leave feeling at peace and proud because, together with my team-mates, I gave you moments that we had dreamed of for so long,” he wrote.

“It was crazy to experience all of that with you. I love you! Thank God for making me Argentine. Long live Argentina!”

After completing the statement, Messi added a note explaining when the words had originally been written.

“I wrote these words on 21 July, two days after the final,” he said. “Today, after what happened to my father, I am more convinced of this decision than ever.”

In the statement, Messi did not provide further details about the final or the circumstances involving his father. His announcement brings an end to his time with Argentina, during which he said he had given everything he could for the national team and its supporters.