1 of 5 | Lionel Messi, who won a World Cup with Argentina in 2022, cited the recent death of his father leading to his retirement from international soccer. File Photo by Chris Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Argentina's Lionel Messi will retire from international soccer, ending a legendary, record-breaking tenure, he announced Monday on Instagram.
Messi, 39, posted the message alongside a photo of a letter, which he said he wrote July 21. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner cited his father's recent death leading to the decision.
"After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to announce to everyone that I am retiring from the national team," Messi wrote on the social media platform.
"It was a decision that hurt -- and still hurts deeply -- but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all --not just in those final years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and poured my heart and soul into this jersey, striving to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.
