It's the end of an era. Lionel Messi has just announced he's hanging up his Argentina shirt for good.

Well, this is the news no Argentina fan ever wanted to hear.

Argentine legend Lionel Messi has officially retired from international football, just weeks after leading La Albiceleste to a second successive World Cup final.

The 39-year-old broke the news himself on Monday in an emotional Instagram post.

According to cbinews.tv, Messi said it was a decision that hurt, and still hurts, deep in his soul, but he knows it’s the right time.

In his own words, he swore he always gave everything, not just in the last few years when they won absolutely everything, but before that too. He said he always fought and gave his all for the shirt.

And didn’t he just.

Remember, this is the man who finally led Argentina to World Cup glory in that epic penalty shootout win over France in Doha in 2022, before his side narrowly lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final last month.

It’s been a tough few months for Leo off the pitch as well. Following the death of his father Jorge in August, Messi had admitted he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any sort for “much longer”.

For now though, club football continues. His contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.

Gracias por todo, Leo.

Source: cbinews.tv

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