Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable Argentina career spanning more than two decades.
The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, steps away as his country's record goalscorer and most-capped player, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances.
Messi described the decision as a painful one but admitted the time had come to make way for Argentina's next generation.
"I've given it my all, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some really great young players coming through behind me who deserve their chance," Messi said.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner revealed that he initially wrote his retirement message on July 21, two days after Argentina suffered defeat against Spain in this summer's World Cup final.
His decision was further reinforced following the death of his father, Jorge, aged 68 after a long illness.
"Today, after what happened with my dad, I'm even more convinced than before," Messi wrote on Instagram.
Messi made his senior Argentina debut in 2005 as a 63rd-minute substitute during a 2-1 friendly victory over Hungary.
His international career got off to a dramatic start when he was shown a straight red card less than a minute after entering the pitch following an incident involving Hungary defender Vilmos Vanczak.
That difficult introduction ultimately gave way to one of the greatest international careers in football history.
Messi went on to win the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles with Argentina, finally ending years of frustration on the international stage.
He finishes his Argentina career with 125 goals, second only to Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 146, on the all-time men's international scoring list.
Messi is also the second-highest goalscorer in World Cup history with 21 goals, one behind France star Kylian Mbappe on 22.
At this summer's World Cup, Messi remained hugely influential despite his age, scoring eight goals and providing four assists as Argentina reached the final.
He also increased his career World Cup assists tally to 12, with 10 coming during knockout matches. No other player on record has registered more than eight assists overall at the tournament.
This is not the first time Messi has announced his retirement from international football.
He initially stepped away from Argentina duty in 2016 following defeat by Chile in the Copa America final, when he missed a penalty during the shootout.
It was Argentina's fourth defeat in a major final in nine years, but Messi later reversed his decision and returned to the national team.
That comeback ultimately transformed his international legacy.
After years of near misses, Messi helped Argentina capture the Copa America before reaching the pinnacle of international football by lifting the World Cup as captain in Qatar in 2022.
His international career now ends following another World Cup final, with Argentina losing to Spain this summer.
In his farewell message, Messi thanked Argentina supporters for their backing throughout his 20-year international career.
"Thank you for all the love over the past 20 years," he said. "I'm going to miss hearing you from the pitch so much."
Messi said he would now become another supporter of the national team, cheering Argentina from the sidelines.
"I'm leaving with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my team-mates, moments we'd only dreamed of," he added.
"It was incredible to have experienced this with you all. I love you!"
While Messi's international career is over, he will continue playing club football with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
The Argentina legend remains under contract with the MLS club until the end of the 2028 season.
A romantic return to boyhood club Newell's Old Boys has long been discussed as a possible final chapter of his playing career, although Messi has made no announcement suggesting such a move is imminent.
For now, Inter Miami supporters will have the opportunity to watch the closing stages of one of football's greatest careers.
Messi leaves the international stage as Argentina's record appearance holder, record goalscorer, a two-time Copa America champion and, above all, a World Cup-winning captain.
