FIFA President Gianni Infantino has paid tribute to Lionel Messi following the Argentina great’s decision to retire from international football, calling his career “extraordinary” and praising the lasting impact he has had on the sport.

Messi's announcement left fans and team-mates alike feeling bereft.

Messi’s relationship with Argentina was built through repeated disappointments. He reached the 2014 World Cup final and lost to Germany. He then suffered defeats in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals against Chile. Having lost three consecutive major finals, Messi announced his international retirement. However, it wasn’t meant to be the end as he reversed his decision a couple months later and so began the quest for the unfinished business.

After two decades with the Argentine national team, the captain announced his farewell in a message that felt less like a formal retirement statement and more like a personal letter to the country he had represented since he was a teenager.

Lionel Messi brought down the curtain on his extraordinary international career on Monday, announcing his retirement soon after inspiring Argentina to within one victory of a second successive World Cup triumph.

Argentina legend Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football for a second time in a social media post on Monday.

Argentina legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football through a social media post on Monday.

Messi's four-goal haul and an assist came at a crucial time for Miami, helping them snap a five-game winless run across all competitions.

Lionel Messi scored four goals as Inter Miami snapped their five-game winless streak with a 7-1 thrashing of struggling Montreal in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

For years, Messi's future has been discussed almost entirely in terms of trophies, contracts and performances. Now the question is more personal. Does he still want the demands that come with being Messi?

Gonzalez, who hails from superstar Messi's hometown Rosario, will attempt to turn around Miami's poor run of post-World Cup form under interim manager Guillermo Hoyos.

A goal from Lionel Messi wasn't enough as Inter Miami fell 2-1 at home to Toronto on Sunday for their fifth straight match without a win.

The MLS Disciplinary Committee fined Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for violating the league’s policy on hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent, while Philadelphia Union defender Cavan Sullivan -- who has Bangladeshi heritage -- had his one-game suspension and accompanying fine rescinded on Friday.

"Ultimately, I've done everything I can last season. It was my best season by far. I achieved a lot with the teams I was in."

Lionel Messi appears to be at peace following the death of his father earlier this month, Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos told reporters on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi missed a penalty for the third consecutive time as Inter Miami suffered a 4-1 defeat to Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC, extending their losing run to three matches.

Lionel Messi made an emotional return Wednesday following his father's death and hints at retirement, but it wasn't enough for his Inter Miami side who were knocked out of the Leagues Cup in a 3-2 loss to Mexico's Leon.

Ronaldo and Messi spent almost two decades at the centre of football's greatest individual rivalry, competing for major trophies and individual honours while representing Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

Despite his grief, the Inter Miami forward pledged to honour his father's memory through parenting his own children.

For now, it is only a possibility. But it is one that has been impossible for football fans to ignore.