Messi announced retirement

Kochi:Football legend Lionel Messi, 39, announced his retirement from Intentional Football. The legendary footballer confirmed that he is stepping down from international football. The Argentine footballer announced his retirement from international football after his 21-year career. Messi announced in an Instagram post on Monday, media reports said. This brings an end to his international career with 125 goals and 68 assists from 207 appearances. He miraculously played to win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 which fetched him a hat-trick. Messi made over 185 appearances for Argentina. Messi, who is eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, will continue his club career in MLS with Inter Miami, where he remains under contract. Jorge, who had also been the Argentina forward’s agent since he was 14, passed away in a hospital in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, in the early hours of Saturday morning. After speculation about his health during this summer’s World Cup, the Messi family issued a statement saying he was dealing with a “health-related situation” but did not disclose the nature of his condition. Messi had hinted of bidding adieu to football after his father Jorge died at the age of 68 a few days back. Jorge helped Messi become the best player of all time. He was in Qatar to see Lionel end his quest to lead Argentina to their third World Cup triumph in 2022.