08/31/2026
Leonel Messi says Bye bye to National Football!!
“After this time that has passed since the final, thinking about it a lot, I want to inform everyone that I am retiring from the National Team...
It was a decision that hurt and still hurts in my soul, but I understand that this is the moment. I swear I always gave everything, not just the last few years when everything was won, and I always fought and gave everything for this jersey, for giving them joy and making them proud to be Argentinians through football.
There is little left and chapters are closing, and this one hurts me a lot. I loved, loved, and will always love being in the National Team. I emptied myself, I no longer have anything more to give, and besides, there are very great young players coming up who deserve to be here.
Thank you for all the love over these 20 years. I will miss hearing from you from the inside a lot. Now I will be one of you, always cheering and supporting from the outside (in good times and bad, much more).
Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to each of the coaches, teammates, and leaders I had the chance to share with. I take away memories and unforgettable moments lived.
I am leaving with the peace and pride of having given them, together with my teammates, dream moments. It was crazy to have lived it with you. I love you!
Thank you God for making me Argentine.
Go Argentina!”
*These words I wrote on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened to my dad, I am more convinced than before.
