Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on Monday. The 39-year-old star made the decision to end his nearly two-decade-long international career, citing personal reasons and the timing as factors in his choice.
Key Takeaways
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on Monday after a nearly two-decade-long international career. The 39-year-old star cited personal reasons, including the recent passing of his father, as factors in his decision. Fans and teammates have expressed their gratitude and sorrow over his departure.
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 5 publishers report consistent facts across 3 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messi's International Career | Broad Agreement | 207 games and 125 goals for Argentina | |
| World Cup Victories | Broad Agreement | Led Argentina to victory in Qatar in 2022 | |
| Retirement Announcement Date | Broad Agreement | Announced on Monday, July 15th. |
Messi's International Career
Broad Agreement207 games and 125 goals for Argentina
World Cup Victories
Broad AgreementLed Argentina to victory in Qatar in 2022
Retirement Announcement Date
Broad AgreementAnnounced on Monday, July 15th.
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
Messi played a record-tying six World Cups with Argentina, leading them to victory in Qatar in 2022. This summer, he helped guide the team to the final once again before losing to Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 15. In his Instagram post announcing his retirement, Messi expressed gratitude for the support of Argentine fans throughout his career.
Throughout his international career, Messi played 207 games and scored a record 125 goals for Argentina. He is second only to Cristiano Ronaldo in all-time men's international scoring with 146 goals. Messi made his debut for the senior national team in 2006 at just 18 years old.
The announcement comes weeks after the death of Messi's father, Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 8 at age 68. In his post, Messi revealed that he had written a retirement letter two days after losing the World Cup final but delayed its publication due to his father's health issues. He also mentioned having serious doubts about continuing to play professional soccer following his father's passing.
In Buenos Aires, fans are rallying in support of Messi, with murals and monuments illuminated in Argentina’s blue and white. Football clubs around the country are singing songs for Messi and mounting banners showing him holding the World Cup he helped win. The Argentine Football Association is planning a farewell match to thank him for his extraordinary service.
Tributes have poured in from fans, teammates, and fellow players. Angel Di Maria, who played alongside Messi in their 2022 World Cup triumph, said it was “so hard” to know that fans will not be able to see the talismanic forward in the sky blue and white colors of Argentina any more. Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami, applauded Messi's 'unconditional love' for the country.
How this summary was created
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