This is the footprint left by the ‘God of Football’ Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) wearing the Argentina national team uniform for 21 years. After numerous frustrations and tears, Messi, who brought the World Cup trophy to his motherland, is now bidding farewell to the national team.

On the 1st, Messi officially announced his retirement from the national team via his social media (SNS). He said, “Now, some time after the final has ended, after much deliberation, I want to share the news of my retirement,” adding, “It is a heart-wrenching decision, but I well know that now is the time to leave.”

He continued, “I loved every moment of being part of the national team, and I love it now and will forever,” and stated, “I poured everything I had into it, and there is no strength left in me anymore.”

Messi is leaving after rewriting the history of the Argentina national team. Making his senior national team debut in 2005, he scored 125 goals in 207 A-matches. Both his appearances and goals are all-time highs for Argentina.

He participated in the World Cup for 6 consecutive times, from the 2006 Germany tournament to this year's North and Central America tournament. He finished as runner-up at the 2014 Brazil tournament, and finally reached the summit in Qatar in 2022. Even at his final tournament, this year's North and Central America World Cup, he reached the final and finished as runner-up.

He lifted 4 championship trophies with the national team. He reached the top of South America twice at the 2021 and 2024 Copa America, and won the Finalissima in 2022. That year, at the Qatar World Cup, he conquered the global summit that Argentina had waited so long for.

He also left heavy footprints in the youth national teams. He reached the top at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and wore the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

However, the 21-year journey between Messi and Argentina was not filled solely with glory. While recognized as one of the world's best players early on at the club level, he faced heavy criticism as he struggled to win titles with the national team.

He lost to Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final and fell 0-1 to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final. At the 2015 and 2016 Copa Americas, he was blocked by Chile for two consecutive years and stayed as runner-up. Especially after missing a penalty in the 2016 final, he even announced his retirement from the national team amid shock.

Lionel Messi bowing his head after finishing as runner-up at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. AP Yonhap News Lionel Messi bowing his head after finishing as runner-up at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. AP Yonhap News

The turning point for Messi, who returned amidst fans' pleas, came in 2021. By defeating arch-rival Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final, he broke free from the agonizing lack of major senior national team titles. A year later, he met the most brilliant moment of his football career.

Scoring 7 goals at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Messi also scored two goals in the final against France. Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout to reach the World Cup summit 36 years after 1986. Messi grabbed his second personal World Cup Golden Ball, following 2014.

Even after finishing the final homework to be solved in the national team with the World Cup victory, Messi did not stop. He contributed to the 2024 Copa America back-to-back title and led Argentina to the final at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, participating just before turning 39.

However, his final match with the national team could not be decorated with victory. Argentina lost 0-1 to Spain in the final, frustrating their bid for back-to-back World Cup titles. Thus, Messi's sixth and final World Cup ended, and not long after, he chose to part ways with the national team.

Messi greeted fans, saying, “I sincerely thank you for the love you have shown over the past 20 years. I will miss the moments of hearing your cheers inside the stadium so much,” and promised, “Now, as one of you fans, I will forever cheer for the national team from the outside and lend my strength.”

He left his final greeting, saying, “I leave with a deep sense of relief and pride for being able to gift dreamlike moments,” and “I was truly happy to share all of this with you. I love you.”

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