Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his celebrated career with the Argentina national team.The Argentina captain confirmed his decision in an emotional statement, saying he had spent considerable time reflecting on his future following the team’s latest final. Messi acknowledged that stepping away was a painful decision but said he believed the time was right to leave international football.“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team,” Messi said.“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.”Messi also reflected on his commitment to Argentina, saying he had always given his best for the national team, both during its recent run of success and in the years before it.“I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football,” he added.Messi retirement reasonMessi said he was leaving international football with a sense of fulfilment after achieving moments he and his teammates had once dreamed of.“I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of. It was crazy to experience all of this with you. I love you!"Thank you God for making me Argentine."Vamos Argentina!”Messi revealed that he had originally written the statement on July 21, two days after the final, but said events involving his father had reinforced his decision.“I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced of this decision than before.”