Football legend Lionel Messi announced Monday his international retirement with Argentina, just weeks after the Albiceleste's defeat in the World Cup final and also the death of his father and agent Jorge Messi.
"Some time has passed since the final, and after reflecting a lot on it, I want to announce to you all that I am retiring from the national team. It’s a decision (...) that still hurts deep inside me, but I understand that it is the time," wrote the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner on his Instagram account.
Messi, who at 39 is still playing club football at Inter Miami in the United States, had previously announced his international retirement in 2016, before returning for the 2018 World Cup and triumphing four years later in Qatar. Recently, in addition to the final lost against Spain on July 19 in New York, the Argentine has been deeply affected by the death of his father Jorge Messi, at the age of 68, stating in mid-August that he no longer sees himself playing "for a long time."
