Jan 1st 2022
I will continue taking a lot of risk. I still donโt like where I am but grateful for the journey.
I just want to break boundaries, have unspeakable JOY.
Ki Olorun ranmi lowo ๐๐พ
๐ฆ๐ท Lionel Messi walks away from the World Cup stage with a rรฉsumรฉ that may never be touched:
๐ Second-most goals in history (21)
๐ Most wins in history (23)
๐ Longest scoring streak (9)
๐ Oldest hat-trick scorer (38)
๐ Joint-most tournament appearances (6)
๐ Argentinaโs all-time top scorer at the World Cup
๐ Most goals from outside the area (7)
๐ Most World Cup appearances (34)
๐ Most appearances as captain (27)
๐ Most assists in the knockout phase (10)
๐ Only player to score in the group stage, Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals AND final (2022)
๐ World Cup winner
๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ A career written in gold. Farewell to the 2026 World Cup, legend.
๐คด The throne stays his. Forever.โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐ The greatest to ever do it.
๐จ๐จ๐จ๐ฃ LEO MESSI STATEMENT:
โAfter all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that Iโm retiring from the national teamโฆ
"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.
"I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.
"There isnโt much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I donโt have anything more to give.
"Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here.
"Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. Iโm going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now Iโll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones.
"Thank you to my family for always being there and for being with me throughout this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every coach, teammate and director I had the chance to share it with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.
"I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of. It was crazy to experience all of this with you. I love you!
"Thank you God for making me Argentine.
"Vamos Argentina!
"I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, Iโm even more convinced of this decision than before.โ
In 2018 an airport worker named Richard stole an empty airplane and flew it for over an hour, performing different stunts. He was not a pilot, and his only โexperienceโ was flying in video games. The conversation before he finally cr@shed was so emotional, he was named the Sky King.