Leo Messi officially resigned from the Argentine national football team on Monday.
Through a statement broadcast on his official social media channels, the captain of the Inter Miami and referent of the national team put an end to a cycle of more than two decades wearing the albiceleste t-shirt at the age of 39.
The attacker confirmed that the decision was made after the final of the 2026 World Cup against Spain. In his letter, the player recognized the difficulty of the step taken on his international future: “It was a decision that hurt and hurt in the soul, but I understand that it is the time. I swear to you that I’ve always left everything, not only the last few years when everything was won, but also, and I’ve always fought and left everything for this shirt.”
Leo Messi’s decision began to take place immediately after the end of the World Cup. The footballer himself detailed in his official statement that he drafted the lines of his farewell on July 21, two days after the final played in U.S. territory, although he opted to postpone his public dissemination until the end of August.
The reaffirmation of his position also coincided with a complex personal context, following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8 in the city of Rosario. In the lines spread on his digital platforms, the footballer explained the need to give way to the new talents that emerge in the national salary: “It remains little and stages are closing and this is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I love and I will always love to be in the team. I empty myself, I have no more to give and away come very big guys behind who deserve to be.”
Leo Messi's career in his country's major team officially began in August 2005 during a friendly match against Hungary. Over the course of 21 years of international competition in the absolute category and juvenile combinations, the attacker surpassed the mark of presence and historic scores of Argentine football, closing a sports cycle that includes obtaining the most relevant titles of the global landscape.
The record of trophies conquered by the captain with the representation of his country comprises the following official consecrations:
In the final section of the document published on social networks, the athlete addressed words of gratitude to the coaches, colleagues, leaders and fans who accompanied him from their beginnings in the training categories. He also assured that he will maintain his support for the national delegation in future commitments from an external role to the staff.
In his farewell letter cited in his official accounts, the captain closed his cycle expressing pride in the goals achieved with the working group: “Thanks for all the affection of these 20 years. I would be surprised to hear them from within. Now I will be one more of you, always encouraging and banging from the outside. I have unforgettable memories and moments. Thank God for making me Argentine! Let’s go to Argentina!”
