(FILES) Argentine Lionel Messi (C top) celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal against Colombia during their FIFA World Cup South Africa-2010 qualifier football match at the El Campin stadium in Bogota, 20 November 2007. Argentine football player Lionel Messi said on August 31, 2026, he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final. (Photo by GUILLERMO MUÑOZ / AFP via Getty Images)