India, Aug. 31 -- Lionel Messi on Monday announced his retirement from the Argentina national team in a lengthy, emotional note on social media. But right at the bottom of the Instagram post was a note saying the announcement was originally intended to be made two days after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final in New Jersey, but he delayed it until August 31.

The 39-year-old, who made his debut for La Albiceleste in 2005, brought down the curtains on his 21-year career with the Argentina national team, with whom he won two Copa Americas and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, his crowning moment in football, labelled as the day 'Messi completed football.'

Four years after his greatest-ever achievement, Messi and Argentina had the chance to scri...