Argentina great Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football.
He said - it was a decision that "hurt" him but "the time has come".
"I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team."
The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, has scored 125 goals in 207 appearances, making him the country's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.
In a statement, Messi said he has given everything to the national side but now has "nothing left to give".
He added: "Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner said he wrote his retirement message on 21 July, two days after Argentina lost to Spain in this summer's World Cup final.
He added on Instagram on Monday: "Today, after what happened with my dad, I'm even more convinced than before."
His career will continue at club level with Major League Soccer team Inter Miami.
Messi made his debut for Argentina in 2005 as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 2-1 friendly win over Hungary. However, he was shown a straight red card less than a minute later, after he swung his arm and his elbow connected with full-back Vilmos Vanczak.
Despite his tough start on the international stage, Messi went on to become one of the all-time greatest players, winning the World Cup and two Copa America titles with Argentina.
He is the second-highest goalscorer in World Cup history, with 21, behind France's Kylian Mbappe (22), and second for goals in all internationals (125) behind his great contemporary and rival, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (146).
Messi first retired from international football in 2016 before reversing his decision.
That followed a defeat by Chile in the Copa America final, in which he missed a penalty in the shootout as Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years.
After World Cup loss, Lionel Messi said - "the pain is immense" and that it "will take time to heal" after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final.
Ferran Torres' extra-time strike saw Spain crowned world champions for a second time, ending Argentina's defence of the title they won in 2022.
Messi has now lost two World Cup finals after Argentina were defeated 1-0 by Germany in 2014.
"The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good things," Messi wrote on social media.
"The matches we turned around by giving it our all - moments that will remain in our memories forever - and the support of an entire country which, combined with this group's hard work and effort, brought us back among the world's elite once again.
"It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message. Once again, we managed to unite as a country and stand together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine.
"I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship."
ends
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