(FILES) Argentina's footballer Lionel Messi leaves the field after a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, Argentina on June 11, 2008. Argentina will face Ecuador next June 15 in a South Africa World Cup 2010 qualifier football match. 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 Juan MABROMATA / AFP via Getty Images)