Argentina star Lionel Messi retires from international soccer with World Cup title and 125 goals

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) – Argentina superstar Lionel Messi confirmed his retirement from international soccer on Monday, ending 21 years of national-team duty that were capped by winning the World Cup in 2022 to secure his place in the pantheon of the.

Key points

• Messi, who will continue to play at club level with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, played in a record-tying six World Cups.
• AP AUDIO: Argentina star Lionel Messi retires from international soccer with World Cup title and 125 goals.
• Messi stands shoulder to shoulder with Diego Maradona, a compatriot with whom he was so often compared, and Brazil icon Pelé as the greatest players of all time.
• AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports one of soccer's legends is retiring from international play.
• "It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deeply – but I understand that the time has come, " the 39-year-old Messi remarked on his Instagram account.

Messi, who will continue to play at club level with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, played in a record-tying six World Cups. When the Albiceleste lost to Spain in extra time in New Jersey, he won it four years ago in a tournament he dominated in Qatar and additionally led Argentina to the title match in 2014 and again this year.

Taken together, the developments around argentina star Lionel Messi retires from international soccer with World Cup title point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.