Source : ABC NEWS
Football great Lionel Messi has announced he will retire from the Argentinian team.
The announcement comes less than a month after the death of his father Jorge.
Following his father’s death on August 7, Messi expressed doubts about the future of his international career.
In a post on Instagram released on Monday, Messi said he had penned a resignation statement two days after this year’s World Cup final, which Argentina lost to Spain, but made his final decision only after the passing of his father.
Referring to lines from the original note, a picture of which Messi also posted, he said stepping down was a “decision that hurt” but that the “time had come”.
“There isn’t much time left, and chapters are coming to an end, and this is one that hurts me a lot.
“I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had; I have nothing left to give.
“And besides, there are some very talented young players coming through who deserve their chance.”
Messi was the captain of Argentina’s men’s national football side, leading them to victory in the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
He is considered by many to be the best footballer of his era.
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