SOCCER-ARGENTINA-MESSI/

Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international soccer via a letter shared on Instagram on Monday, August 31. The 39-year-old athlete made this decision following Argentina's 1-0 defeat against Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final held in July. This marks the end of a career that previously included a World Cup victory on December 18, 2022, in Lusail, Qatar, where Messi celebrated by kissing the trophy after winning the tournament.