🇦🇷⚽️❗️ — Lionel Messi announces his retirement from the Argentina National Team:
After this time that has passed since the final, after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I am retiring from the National Team...
It was a decision that hurt and still hurts, but I understand that it is the right time. I promise that I always gave my all, not just in the last few years when we won everything, but also before, and I always fought and gave everything for this jersey, to bring you joy and to make you feel proud to be Argentines through football.
There is not much time left, and stages are coming to an end, and this is one that hurts me a lot. I love, loved, and will always love being part of the National Team. I have given everything I had, I have nothing more to give, and besides, there are very talented young players coming up who deserve to be there.
Thank you for all the love over these 20 years. I will miss hearing you from within. Now I will be one of you, cheering and supporting always from the outside (in good times and bad, even more so).
Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to each and every one of the coaches, teammates, and officials I had the pleasure of sharing experiences with. I will take away unforgettable memories and moments.
I am leaving with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, dream moments. It was incredible to experience it with you. I love you!
Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.
Let's go, Argentina!
*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my father, I am even more convinced.