One of the best to ever play the sport of football and the second-highest goalscorer in international football, Lionel Messi has called curtains on his international career after 207 appearances in Argentina’s iconic blue-and-white jersey.

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

The Argentina captain insisted that he had always given everything for the national-team shirt, including during the difficult years before the country’s golden generation finally began collecting major trophies.

“I always gave everything — not only in these last few years when we won everything, but also before that,” he wrote.

Messi also pointed towards the next generation of Argentine players, saying there were talented youngsters coming through who deserved their opportunity with the national team.

From heartbreak to World Cup glory

Messi’s Argentina career began in 2005 but was followed by years of disappointment on the international stage.

He was part of the Argentina side that reached the 2014 World Cup final, only to lose to Germany after extra time. Two years later, Argentina suffered another painful defeat in the Copa América final, following their loss to Chile in the 2015 final.

The defeats took a heavy toll on Messi.

After Argentina lost the 2016 Copa América final to Chile on penalties, Messi made the shock decision to retire from international football at the age of 29.

“I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. It didn’t happen,” Messi said at the time.

However, the retirement lasted only a few months. Messi reversed his decision and returned to the national team, beginning a second chapter that would eventually transform his international legacy.

Return delivers Argentina’s greatest prizes

Messi’s return proved decisive.

In 2021, he finally won his first senior international trophy with Argentina when they defeated Brazil in the Copa América final at the Maracanã.

The following year brought the prize that had defined much of his international career.

Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar, scoring seven goals and producing a memorable campaign that culminated in victory over France in a dramatic final.

Argentina then successfully defended their Copa América crown in 2024, giving Messi two Copa América titles and one World Cup.

He also led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, but their campaign ended with defeat against Spain.

‘I love, have loved and will always love’ Argentina

Despite bringing his international career to an end, Messi made clear that his bond with Argentina will remain.

“I love, have loved and will always love being part of the national team,” he said.

Messi thanked his family, coaches, teammates and officials who had accompanied him throughout his 20-year journey. He also thanked Argentina supporters for their unwavering affection.

“I am going to be one of you now, always supporting and cheering from the outside — in the good times and the bad, even more so,” he wrote.

He ended his message with a simple tribute to his country: “Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!”

Physical limits played a part

Messi’s decision also comes after he spoke about the physical demands of the 2026 World Cup.

Reflecting on the final against Spain, he revealed that he had tried to push himself beyond his physical limits but could not continue at the same level.

“My legs couldn’t go on any more,” Messi wrote.

He had already acknowledged earlier this month that he had doubts about how much longer he would continue playing for Argentina.

The comments underline the physical reality behind a decision that marks the end of an extraordinary international career.

Messi leaves behind a record-breaking legacy

Messi retires as Argentina’s most-capped player and its all-time leading goalscorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals.

He is also the second-highest goalscorer in men’s international football, behind Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads the list with 146 goals. Iran’s Ali Daei is third with 108, followed by India’s Sunil Chhetri on 95 and Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku on 93.

At the World Cup, Messi leaves with a remarkable collection of records. He is the tournament’s all-time leader for appearances and goal contributions and became the first player to feature at six men’s World Cups.

He is also the only player to win the World Cup Golden Ball twice, receiving the award after his performances at the 2014 and 2022 tournaments.

Lionel Messi has ended his career as a player for the Argentine national team at 39 years old, after two decades representing the national side.

Messi, who played in six World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar 2022 and led Argentina to the final in 2026 losing to Spain.

He made his debut for the Argentina national team in 2005 in a friendly match against Hungary.

“It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deeply, but I understand that the time has come,” Messi said on his official Instagram account. “I swear to you that I always gave it my all, not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”

“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, alongside my teammates, moments ⁠we once only dreamed of,” he added.

Following the death of his father Jorge in August, Messi had said he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any sort for “much longer”.

Messi’s contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AFP and AP)

Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has backed Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, as the person who can help change Nigerian football.

Martins made the comments on Monday during a chat with former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel on The Obi One Podcast.

The former Inter Milan forward was speaking about the ongoing crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which has seen resignations and changes in the federation’s leadership in recent days.

Martins said poor football administration has been a problem in Nigeria since his playing days. He believes a young person who understands the game and the needs of Nigerians could help fix the system.

He specifically mentioned Seyi Tinubu as someone who could take on the challenge.

“We just need someone that can help. Someone young that understands the game, that understands the system, that can help us,” Martins said.

“I think Seyi Tinubu can do that too. He understands, he’s young, and he understands what Nigerian people want. I think he can change that.”

Seyi Tinubu has not publicly declared any interest in contesting for a position in the NFF.

The comments come amid major changes in Nigerian football administration.

Last week, Ibrahim Gusau resigned as NFF president, while the federation’s general secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, also stepped down.

Their resignations came after President Bola Tinubu ordered a “comprehensive reform” of Nigerian football, with the aim of addressing the country’s repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments.

Odell Beckham Jr. made the New York Giants’ 53-man roster on Sunday after sitting out the entire 2025 NFL season. The wide receiver signed a non-guaranteed veteran salary benefit contract with the franchise in June.

NFL Insider Connor Hughes shared his thoughts about Beckham’s return to the Giants roster on Sunday.

“He [Beckham] sat out all of last year and virtually no team was interested in even sniffing him to bring him on their team,” Hughes said. “And now here he is in 2026 on the Giants’ 53-man roster, and he earned it. This was not a scholarship. This wasn’t, ‘oh, give Odell a job.’”

“He earned a spot on this team because he was absolutely one of the best receivers in Giants training camp throughout this year. He kept getting open. He showed that he still has some gas left in the tank. He showed he’s worthy of a spot on this team and he finally has it.”

When the Giants signed the three-time Pro Bowler in June, he was not promised a regular-season roster spot. Beckham had to earn his way up the depth chart from scratch.

Beckham faced a crowded depth chart alongside Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, rookie Malachi Fields, and returner Braxton Berrios. He impressed throughout the training camp and capped his preseason with three catches for 53 yards on six targets against the New York Jets.

Beckham now prepares for his first regular-season game in a Giants uniform since December 2018, when New York hosts the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.

Also Read: “Goodbye Odell,” “He’s not a lock”: NFL fans react to John Harbaugh’s comments on Odell Beckham Jr.’s future with Giants

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Odell Beckham Jr. on making the Giants’ 53-man roster

Odell Beckham Jr. completed a full-circle comeback on Sunday after making the 53-man roster of the New York Giants, the franchise that drafted him 12th overall in 2014.

After securing his place on the New York Giants’ active 53-man roster, Beckham spoke with NFL insider Josina Anderson about the moment the Giants head coach John Harbaugh delivered the news and his mindset heading into the 2026 regular season.

“I am excited,” Beckham said. “I found out when I was walking off the field. [Head coach John Harbaugh] said congratulations, and he said that I worked hard. I told him I will give him everything I got. He said, ‘Let’s go do it.’”

Beckham sent his love to the fans and said he will give it his all for the franchise.