Argentine football star Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of thirty-nine.

He made the announcement on social media, saying the decision was painful but the time had come to step aside and give young players an opportunity.

Messi played 207 matches for Argentina and scored 125 goals since making his international debut in 2005.

He led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title in 2022 and won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.