Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, saying he has “nothing more to give” after a 20-year international career.

The Argentina captain made the announcement in an emotional letter posted on his Instagram reel on Monday, revealing that he had reached the decision shortly after the final and had become even more convinced following the death of his father.

Messi said, “After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team.”

He admitted the decision was painful but said he believed it was the right time to end his international career.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment,” Messi said.

The 39-year-old stressed that he had always given his best for Argentina, including during the difficult years before the country’s recent successes.

“I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too,” he said.

“I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

“There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot,” he said.

“I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give.”

The veteran forward also pointed to the emergence of younger players who, he said, deserved an opportunity to represent the national team.

Reflecting on his two decades with Argentina, Messi thanked supporters for their unwavering affection and said he would continue backing the team even after stepping away.