MIAMI: Lionel Messi said on Monday he was retiring 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.

He said he wrote his retirement letter after the World Cup final in July, but waited to publish it because his father was facing health issues that eventually claimed his life.

Lionel Messi has ended his career as a player for the Argentine national team at 39 years old. Messi, who played in six World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar 2022 and led…

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football with the Argentina national team.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

Messi has called time on his Argentina career after defeat to Spain in July’s World Cup final