Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, but his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final.
Lionel Messi says he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July. Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory by winning the 2022 final against France in a penalty shootout in Doha, Qatar, but his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final. After the death of his father, Jorge, in August, Messi had said he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any sort for “much longer”.
Messi’s contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.
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