Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football with Argentina, saying he wrote his retirement letter after the World Cup final in July but delayed publishing it following his father's illness and death.
Key facts
- Lionel Messi is retiring from playing internationally for Argentina.
- He said he wrote his retirement letter after the World Cup final in July.
- Messi said he delayed publishing the letter because his father was facing health issues.
- His father's health issues eventually claimed his life, according to Messi.
Lionel Messi has announced that he is retiring from international football with Argentina, according to NPR. The announcement marks the end of his time representing his national team.
Messi said he wrote his retirement letter after the World Cup final in July, according to NPR, but chose not to publish it immediately.
The reason for the delay, Messi said, was that his father was facing health issues at the time. Those health issues eventually claimed his life, he said.
Messi’s departure follows both the World Cup final and the death of his father within recent months.
Why it matters
Messi is among the most celebrated footballers of his generation, and his retirement from international play marks a notable moment for Argentina's national team and its supporters worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
When did Lionel Messi write his retirement letter?
According to NPR, Messi said he wrote his retirement letter after the World Cup final in July.
Why did Messi delay announcing his retirement?
Messi said he waited to publish the letter because his father was facing health issues, which eventually claimed his life.
Is Messi retiring from all soccer?
According to the source, Messi is retiring from playing internationally for Argentina. The source does not indicate a retirement from all soccer.