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Messi retires from Argentina after 21 years
Lionel Messi has ended his Argentina career after the World Cup final defeat by Spain.
What happened
Lionel Messi announced on social media that he is retiring from Argentina’s national team. The forward’s final international was Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Spain. He ended a national-team career that included a World Cup title and Copa América victories.
Numbers
- 21 yearsArgentina national-team career
- 207 capsAppearances for Argentina
- 125 goalsGoals for Argentina
Questions
- Why did Messi choose to leave now?
- He wrote that he had given everything he had, believed younger players deserved places, and felt it was the right time.
- How extensive was his Argentina career?
- He made two hundred and seven appearances and scored one hundred and twenty-five goals after debuting against Hungary in two thousand and five.
- What changes for Argentina now?
- Messi’s departure opens a place in the squad for younger players, though coverage names neither a replacement nor a new captain.
- Why was the announcement delayed?
- He wrote the farewell message two days after the final but waited, then published it after his father died in August.
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The catch
Coverage gives no indication whether Messi will leave club football or who will captain Argentina.