Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after over 20 years with the national team. Messi had hinted at the possibility of stepping away from international football after the tournament, but his latest statement confirms that he has now made the decision

Reflecting on his decision, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he had spent considerable time thinking about his future before reaching the difficult conclusion.

“After this time that passed since the final, thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I am retiring from the National Team…”

He admitted that the decision has been painful but said he understands that the time has come after giving everything he had to the national team.

“It was a decision that hurts the soul, but I understand that it is time. I swear I always left everything, and I always fought and left everything for this shirt, to give them joy and make them feel proud of being Argentines through soccer,” he said

Messi said he leaves the national team with the feeling that he has nothing more to offer. There is little left, and stages are closing, and this one hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love to be on the National Team. I am empty; I have no more to give, and apart from that, very big guys come behind who deserve to be.”

The announcement brings an end to one of the most remarkable international careers in football history.

Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005 and became the country’s most-capped player and top scorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals.

He won the Copa América in 2021 before leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar. He also helped the team win another Copa América title in 2024.

Messi thanked the fans, his family, coaches, and teammates for their support throughout his career.

Leipzig’s 19-year-old sensation Yan Diomande has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, dealing a massive transfer blow to Liverpool.

The highly sought-after Ivory Coast international, who is currently representing his nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has been courted by several elite European clubs over the past few months.

Liverpool notably saw an €100 million (£86.8m) bid rejected by Leipzig last week and are expected to return with an improved offer.

However, despite the Premier League interest, Diomande has reportedly prioritised a move to the French capital, fully convinced by the sporting project presented by president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and manager Luis Enrique.

With personal terms now out of the way, they now have to negotiate with Leipzig, who are adamantly insisting that the versatile winger, who is tied to a long-term contract until June 2030, is not for sale unless a staggering €120 million offer arrives at their door.

Paris Saint-Germain have established European dominance under Enrique, successfully securing consecutive UEFA Champions League titles during the 2024/25 and 2025/26 campaigns.

The teenager believes joining the reigning European champions will provide him with the optimal platform to secure major trophies and eventually achieve his personal ambition of winning the Ballon d’Or.

His massive valuation is justified by a spectacular breakthrough 2025/26 Bundesliga season, where he registered 12 goals and nine assists in 33 appearances after joining Leipzig from Spanish side Leganés just last summer.

As Diomande prepares for Ivory Coast’s World Cup Round of 32 clash against Norway on Tuesday, June 30, Liverpool are now forced to pivot toward alternative targets such as Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh.

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has revealed the reasons behind his decision to switch international allegiance from England to Nigeria. Super Eagles of Nigeria defender Ola Aina was born in Southwark, London, to Nigerian parents, and was a mainstay in the England youth setup during his younger years.

The 29-year-old climbed the ranks from the U16s to the U20s, earning over 20 caps for the Young Lions. However, despite being called up to the U21s in 2015, the former Chelsea academy star ultimately chose a different path after training with the Super Eagles in London in March 2017.

Reflecting on that pivotal career move, Aina explained that his roots played the biggest role in his choice.

“Born and raised in London, I chose to play for Nigeria. It was simply a decision I made when I was around 20. That’s where my parents are from; that’s my heritage,” Aina told Nottingham Forest’s YouTube channel.

“The opportunity presented itself, and I believed it was the right one at that moment, so I embraced it wholeheartedly, and here I am today.”

also touched on the deep emotional connection his family has with his international career, noting how much it means to them to see him in the famous green-and-white jersey.

“My family is extremely proud of me, particularly when I wear the Super Eagles shirt.

“They cherish it even more than I do. For me, it’s a privilege; it’s an honor. It’s truly remarkable to play for them.”

Aina has since become a cornerstone of the national team.