Argentina great Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, saying it was a decision that “hurt” but he understands “the time has come”.

The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, has scored 125 goals in 207 appearances, making him the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.

In a statement on Instagram, Messi said he has given everything to the national side, but now he has “nothing left to give”.