Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football with Argentina

Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami star, announced on Monday his retirement from international football with the Argentina national team, stating that the decision came after much reflection and that he no longer has anything left to give in the national shirt.

In an official statement posted on his Instagram account, Messi said: "After all this time since the final and after long consideration, I want to let everyone know that I have decided to retire from the national team."

He explained that the decision was a painful one for him, adding: "It was a painful decision and it still hurts me deeply, but I know the time has come."

Messi stressed that he gave everything throughout his career with the national team, saying: "I swear to you that I always gave my all, not only in recent years when we achieved everything, but even before that. I always fought and gave everything I had for this shirt, to make you happy and to make you proud to be Argentinians through football."

The Inter Miami player noted that his retirement comes as an important chapter in his national team career draws to a close, saying: "There is not much left, and the stages are coming to an end, and this is one of them that hurts me a lot."

He added: "I love, have loved, and will always love being with the national team. I have given everything I have, and I have nothing more to offer, especially with a group of outstanding young players who deserve their chance."

In a farewell message to fans, Messi said: "Thank you for all the love over these 20 years. I will miss hearing your voices in the stadium, and now I will become one of you, always supporting and cheering for the national team from the outside, in good times and bad, and especially in difficult times."