Lionel Messi announces retirement from national team |
Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi announced Monday his retirement from the men’s national football team.
The 39-year-old star confirmed his decision not to represent the Albiceleste in any future games with a heartfelt message posted on his Instagram account.
“After spending a long time pondering it, I want to announce my retirement from the national team,” Messi wrote.
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The Argentine superstar said it was “a decision that hurts in [his] soul” but that he “understands the time has come.”
“I swear I left everything on the pitch, not just these last few years when we won it all, but also before, and that I always fought and did it all for this shirt, to make [the fans] happy and proud to be Argentine,” he wrote.
Messi opened the door to his retirement from football, saying that “there’s not a long time left” and that “things are coming to an end,” admitting it’s a decision that hurt him because he has “always loved” being part of the Albiceleste.
“I have nothing left to give, and there are kids coming up behind me who deserve their spot,” he added.
The 2022 World Cup winner went on to thank Argentina fans for their support, admitting he’ll “miss a lot” hearing them from the pitch but that........