BUENOS AIRES, 31 August, 2026 (Ghufran): Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after leading Argentina to the World Cup final for a second consecutive time. The 39-year-old forward made the decision following Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final in July. Messi had guided Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, but his side suffered a 1-0 defeat against Spain in the 2026 final. In a message shared on social media, Messi said the decision to retire from international football was painful, but he believed it was the right time to step away. Messi said he had always given everything for the Argentina national team and fought with full commitment for the national shirt, not only during the years of success but throughout his international career. The Argentine captain played a key role in the 2022 World Cup triumph, scoring in the final against France before Argentina secured victory in a penalty shootout in Doha. However, Argentina were unable to defend their title in 2026, with Spain defeating them 1-0 in the final held in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August, the football star had also expressed serious doubts about continuing his football career for much longer. Messi’s decision marks the end of an extraordinary international career in which he led Argentina to major international success and established himself as one of the greatest footballers in the history of the sport.