Messi posted that he wrote the announcement of his retirement two days after Argentina’s loss to Spain in July’s World Cup final, and after a pause that included mourning the death of his father, “I’m more convinced than ever” it was time to take off Argentina’s famed blue-and-white striped kit.

“It was a decision that hurt—and still hurts—deep in the soul, but I understand that it’s time,” Messi wrote. “I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in recent years, but even before we won everything — and I always fought hard and gave everything I had for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentine through soccer.

“There’s not much time left, and chapters are coming to a close —and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being on the national team. I’ve given it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some truly great young players coming up who deserve their spot.

“Thank you for all the love over these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing from you all so much from the sidelines. Now I’ll be just one of you, always cheering and supporting from the sidelines (through the good times and the bad—especially the bad).”

Messi continues to play professionally for the MLS club Inter Miami.