Argentina’ Messi retires from international football — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after leading his country to the 2022 World Cup title and the 2026 final. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals, Al Jazeera reported. “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come,” the 39-year-old Messi wrote on Instagram on Monday. Messi said he had always given his best for the national team and believed the time had come for younger players to take his place. Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time in this year’s World Cup final, denying Messi a second World Cup title and a winning farewell. Messi endured several disappointments with Argentina, including losing the 2014 World Cup final and two Copa America finals. He eventually won his first major international trophy at the 2021 Copa America before guiding Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022. He also helped Argentina win another Copa America title in 2024. Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005 and leaves the national team having established himself as one of the greatest players in football history. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward currently plays for Inter Miami, where his contract…