Argentina’s legendary footballer Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football. On August 31, the footballer took to his official social media handle to announce the decision.
“After this time that passed from the final, thinking about it a lot, I want to inform everyone that I retire from the National Team… It was a decision that hurt and hurt in the soul but I understand that it is time. I swear I always left everything, not only the last years that everything was won before too and I always fought and left everything for this shirt, for giving them joy and making them proud to be Argentine through football. There is little left and stages are closing and this is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved and will always love being in the National Team. I emptied myself, I don’t have more to give and apart come very big guys back that deserve to be,” he wrote on his official social media handle.
“Thank you for all the love of these 20 years. I’m going to miss you very much listening from the inside. Now I will be one of you, encouraging and always senching from the outside (in the good and the bad, much more). Thank you to my family for always being, for joining me on this beautiful but difficult journey. Thanks to each of the coaches, teammates and leaders that I had to share. I take memories and unforgettable moments lived. I leave with the tranquility and pride of having given them, together with my companions, dream moments. It was crazy to have lived with you. I love you! Thank you God for making me Argentine. Come on Argentina! *These words I wrote on July 21, two days after the final. Today after my dad, I’m more convinced than before,” added the 39-year-old former Argentina’s footballer.
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Recently, he registered four goals as Inter Miami secured a dominant 7-1 victory over Montreal in the Major League Soccer (MLS).
The reigning MLS Cup champions had experienced a difficult week following the World Cup finals break, suffering four defeats in their previous five matches prior to Saturday’s fixture in Florida. However, Miami rediscovered their form in convincing fashion against a Montreal side struggling near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
The reigning MLS Cup champions had experienced a difficult week following the World Cup finals break, suffering four defeats in their previous five matches prior to Saturday’s fixture in Florida. However, Miami rediscovered their form in convincing fashion against a Montreal side struggling near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Brazil international Casemiro, who joined Miami after the World Cup, bagged his first goal for the champions with a 20th minute header at the Nu Stadium. Montreal though hit back with a 37th-minute goal from Fabian Herbers, the German midfielder’s low shot from the edge of the area squeezing into the bottom corner.
Miami quickly restored their advantage in the 40th minute as Messi’s curling low free-kick deceived Montreal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier. Shortly after the second-half restart, the 39-year-old Argentine talisman wove past several defenders before placing a firm shot into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.
Messi turned creator for Inter Miami’s fourth, threading a perfect pass to former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, who finished cleanly to extend Inter Miami’s lead.
The Argentine legend completed his hat-trick in the 83rd minute, racing onto a delivery from Rodrigo De Paul before executing a delicate chip over the oncoming Gillier to push the scoreline to 5-1. Teenage substitute Alex Shaw increased the lead further in the 89th minute, driving a powerful low shot into the net from distance.
Lionel Messi capped off his dominant display in deep stoppage time, curling home another signature free-kick from the edge of the penalty area to complete his four-goal haul. The victory keeps Inter Miami second in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing leaders Nashville by seven points.
Earlier, there were rumours of Lionel Messi taking an infinite break from football after the loss of his father. However, after a record breaking World Cup, which saw Argentina finish second, Messi is back on the pitch delivering the good for Inter Miami in America.
