Lionel Messi, 39, announced his immediate retirement from Argentina’s national team in an Instagram post that included handwritten pages, writing "This is one that hurts me a lot." Messi said he first thought about retiring two days after Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain and that his international career spanned more than two decades. The announcement follows his role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory and his most recent appearance in that tournament’s final. Several reports note the decision ends a long Argentina run that included his sixth World Cup appearance. Messi is expected to continue his club career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.
