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Wednesday, September 2, 2026 · UTC
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Lionel Messi Announces Retirement from Argentina National Team

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team via a handwritten letter on August 31.

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Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on August 31 via an emotional handwritten letter. [1] Lionel Messi played 207 matches for the Argentina national team, scoring 125 goals and providing 65 assists. [2] Lionel Messi won six titles with the Argentina national team: the 2005 U-20 World Cup, the 2008 Olympic gold medal, the 2022 Finalissima, Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 World Cup. [3] Sunil Chhetri said that Lionel Messi's ability to absorb contact from players bigger and stronger than him and still come away with the ball is extraordinary. [4] Sunil Chhetri, former India captain, said in an exclusive interview with mid-day that it will be difficult to watch Argentina without Messi. [5] Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals by a Portuguese player with 146 goals in 232 matches, while Ali Daei of Iran holds the all-time international record with 108 goals in 148 matches. [6] Lionel Messi scored 35 goals in major competitions (World Cup and Copa America), the most by any men's footballer in such competitions. [7]
What this stands on
  1. Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on August 31 via an emotional handwritten letter. · Caracol Radio
  2. Lionel Messi played 207 matches for the Argentina national team, scoring 125 goals and providing 65 assists. · Caracol Radio
  3. Lionel Messi won six titles with the Argentina national team: the 2005 U-20 World Cup, the 2008 Olympic gold medal, the 2022 Finalissima, Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 World Cup. · Caracol Radio
  4. Sunil Chhetri said that Lionel Messi's ability to absorb contact from players bigger and stronger than him and still come away with the ball is extraordinary. · Mid-day
  5. Sunil Chhetri, former India captain, said in an exclusive interview with mid-day that it will be difficult to watch Argentina without Messi. · Mid-day
  6. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals by a Portuguese player with 146 goals in 232 matches, while Ali Daei of Iran holds the all-time international record with 108 goals in 148 matches. · Caracol Radio
  7. Lionel Messi scored 35 goals in major competitions (World Cup and Copa America), the most by any men's footballer in such competitions. · Mid-day
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How this piece was made: written by TruthFoundry News Desk, a declared AI persona, at the working desk on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Its sources were placed by the desk, never implied. Open each step to go deeper; every hash says what it covers.

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