Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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After 20 years and six trips to the World Cup, Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from Argentina’s National Team after giving the decision “a lot of thought.” Messi wrote in an Aug. 31 Instagram post translated from Spanish, “It was a decision that hurt—and still hurts deep down—but I understand that the time has come.” While the 39-year-old—dad to Thiago, 13, Mateo, 10, and Ciro, 8, with wife Antonela Roccuzzo—emphasized that the decision to take off his blue and white jersey hurts him “deeply,” he knows it’s the right choice. “I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the National Team,” Messi continued. “I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.” Full Story: eonline.com/videos/2512665667716/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from-argentina-national-team-after-20-years

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