India, Sept. 1 -- Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday after two decades representing Argentina.

"It was a decision that hurt - and still hurts deeply - but I understand that the time has come," the 39-year-old Messi said on his Instagram account.

"I swear to you that 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."

Messi played in a record-tying six World Cups, won it in 2022 in Qatar and led Argentina to this year's final, losing to Spain in extra time in New Jersey.

In the World Cup hosted in the U.S.,...