MARCA
World soccer is experiencing a historic day of profound shock. Lionel Andrés Messi, the greatest idol of the Argentina National Team and the man who guided the country to eternal glory, officially announced his definitive retirement from the national team.
He did so through a heartbreaking message on his social media, where he bared his soul before the millions of fans who stood by him for two decades. "I emptied myself, I have nothing left to give"
The full statement:
"After this time that has passed since the final, after thinking about it a lot, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team…
It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul, but I understand that this is the moment. I swear that I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when everything was won, but before that too, and I always fought and gave everything for this jersey, to give you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.
There is little time left and stages are coming to an end, and this is one that hurts me a lot. I love, loved, and will always love being on the National Team. I gave everything I had, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve to be there.
Thank you for all the affection over these 20 years. I am going to miss hearing you from the inside very much. Now I will be one more among you, always cheering and standing behind the team from the outside (in good times and bad, even more so).
Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I had the chance to share this with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments lived.
I leave with the peace and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, dreamlike moments. It was crazy to have lived it with you. I love you!
Thank you God for making me Argentine.
Come on Argentina!
*I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my father, I am more convinced than before."
He did so through a heartbreaking message on his social media, where he bared his soul before the millions of fans who stood by him for two decades. "I emptied myself, I have nothing left to give"
The full statement:
"After this time that has passed since the final, after thinking about it a lot, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team…
It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul, but I understand that this is the moment. I swear that I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when everything was won, but before that too, and I always fought and gave everything for this jersey, to give you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.
There is little time left and stages are coming to an end, and this is one that hurts me a lot. I love, loved, and will always love being on the National Team. I gave everything I had, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve to be there.
Thank you for all the affection over these 20 years. I am going to miss hearing you from the inside very much. Now I will be one more among you, always cheering and standing behind the team from the outside (in good times and bad, even more so).
Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I had the chance to share this with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments lived.
I leave with the peace and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, dreamlike moments. It was crazy to have lived it with you. I love you!
Thank you God for making me Argentine.
Come on Argentina!
*I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my father, I am more convinced than before."
