- Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football following Argentina's 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.
- The 39-year-old forward earned 207 caps and scored 125 goals for his country during an international career spanning more than two decades.
- Messi revealed he made the decision two days after the final in July, but delayed the announcement following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August.
- The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and finishes as the tournament's second-highest all-time goalscorer behind Kylian Mbappe.
- Messi will continue his club career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, having recently scored four goals in a 7-1 win over Montreal.
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