Sport · Singapore Bureau
Messi announces retirement from international football after Copa América
Argentina's Lionel Messi has decided to step away from international competition, bringing an end to a storied career representing his country. The decision comes following Argentina's Copa América triumph earlier this year.
LSN Singapore ·
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, concluding a distinguished career spanning multiple decades with the Argentine national team. The football icon confirmed the news in a statement, acknowledging the difficulty of the decision while expressing conviction that the timing was appropriate.
"It was a decision that hurt, but I understand that it is the right time," Messi said in his announcement. The move marks the end of an era for Argentina football, as the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner steps back from representing his country on the international stage.
Messi's retirement comes in the aftermath of Argentina's Copa América success, capping an impressive run of achievements with the national team. His departure leaves a significant void in Argentine football as the squad enters a new chapter without one of its most iconic figures.
The 36-year-old's international career, which began in the mid-2000s, has been marked by numerous honours and records, establishing him as one of the greatest players to ever represent Argentina on the global stage.