LIONEL Messi has announced his retirement from international football.
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July.
The 39-year-old forward who won the World Cup in 2022 and dragged his nation to the final in the United States only to lose to Spain, said the decision had been painful.
"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time," Messi wrote on Instagram.
"I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt," he added.
