Is the trip over? Messi resolves the controversy and announces his final decision

Argentina legend Lionel Messi ended his successful international career after the bitter defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final as he told his team-mates in the dressing room that the game was his last appearance for the Albiceleste, Argentine media reported.

Argentinian journalist Hernán Castillo confirmed on his official X platform account that Messi gave an emotional speech to the players in the dressing room shortly after the match, in which he announced the end of his international career, and that the World Cup final against Spain was his last appearance in an emotional moment after his dream of retaining the world title.

Messi entered the tournament with the overwhelming ambition of achieving an unprecedented historic achievement by winning the title for the second time in a row and shouldered the responsibility of leading Argentina to glory as he performed exceptionally throughout the tournament scoring 8 goals and 4 assists, but fate prevented him from fulfilling his dream.

Messi now continues his professional career with American club Inter Miami in the United States Soccer League, after a legendary European journey spanning more than two decades, during which he became the greatest player in the history of Spanish club Barcelona, ​​winning 35 titles and scoring more than 670 goals, before moving to Paris, France, winning two brief titles with Paris Saint-Germain.