Lionel Messi is 39 years old, has just played in a World Cup final for the last time, and following his father’s death announces that he is retiring from the Argentina national team.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul, but I understand that the time has come. There is little time left, and stages are coming to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply”, he posted on Instagram.
“I’m leaving with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, dream moments. It was crazy to have experienced it with you”, he concluded.
This time there was no emphatic statement. Just a message on Instagram thanking his teammates and the coaching staff, along with all of Argentina’s fans.
Some media outlets already consider his World Cup cycle closed; others claim his camp is preparing an official farewell later on, with Scaloni still at the helm.
The last time Messi said goodbye, he ended up returning to lift the Copa América and the World Cup in Qatar. Will history repeat itself, or is it definitive this time?