Lionel Messi has ended his international career with Argentina, bringing to a close a remarkable journey that spanned nearly two decades.

The football legend played in six FIFA World Cups, finally lifting the sport’s biggest prize in Qatar in 2022. He later led Argentina to another World Cup final in 2026, where the defending champions were beaten by Spain.

The 39-year-old revealed that he had written his farewell letter just two days after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat.

However, Messi delayed making the announcement public as his father, Jorge Messi, was facing serious health problems. He later died on August 8 in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

In an emotional message posted on Instagram, Messi said the events that followed only strengthened his belief that the time had come to step away from the national team.

“I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am more convinced than ever,” Messi wrote.

A decision that still hurts

Messi admitted that walking away from Argentina was not easy.

“It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deeply, but I understand that the time has come,” he said.

The Inter Miami captain leaves behind one of the greatest international careers in football history.

His journey with the national team began in 2006 and was far from straightforward. Before the glory came years of frustration and painful defeats.

But Messi said he always gave everything for the Argentina shirt.

“I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football,” he wrote.

Tribute to fans

Messi also paid tribute to Argentina’s fans, thanking them for standing by him throughout his international career.

“Thank you for all the love these past 20 years,” he wrote. “I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I’m going to be one of you, cheering and supporting you from the outside, through thick and thin, even more so.”

He leaves international football with the pride of having delivered some of Argentina’s greatest victories on the field.

While his Argentina career is over, Messi did not say how long he plans to continue playing club football.

(With inputs from agencies)