BUENOS ​AIRES (REUTERS)

​Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to ​World Cup victory in 2022 and the final in 2026, said ⁠on Monday in a post on ​Instagram that he would ​be ‌leaving Argentina's national team.



"It ⁠was ​a decision that hurt - and still hurts deep down - but I understand that the ‌time has come. I always gave it my all - not ​just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and ‌left everything on the ​field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to ​be ‌Argentine ⁠through ‌football," the 39-year-old ‌posted on Instagram.

"I leave with the peace ⁠of mind and pride of having ​given you - alongside my teammates - moments we once only dreamed of," he added.