Messi announces his international retirement: 'It's a painful decision that breaks my heart'

Lionel Messi announced his international retirement from the Argentina national team at the age of 39, following the Albiceleste's defeat in the World Cup final against Spain. In a letter on social media, he expressed the pain of this decision while stating that it was time to pass the torch. With 207 caps and 125 goals, he leaves the national team as Argentina's all-time leading scorer after more than two decades of international career.