Lionel Messi retires: The best pictures of the Argentina captain

Messi announced his retirement after losing Copa America final to Chile
Messi announced his retirement after losing Copa America final to Chile
Lionel Messi joined Barcelona's famous La Masia academy in 2000 as a teenager
Lionel Messi joined Barcelona's famous La Masia academy in 2000 as a teenager
A teenage Messi celebrates after starring for Argentina as they won the 2005 Under 20s World Cup in Holland
A teenage Messi celebrates after starring for Argentina as they won the 2005 Under 20s World Cup in Holland
Messi was awarded the Golden Boy, a trophy handed out to the player considered the best Under 21 player in the world
Messi was awarded the Golden Boy, a trophy handed out to the player considered the best Under 21 player in the world
Messi celebrates his first goal for Barcelona after scoring against Albacete in a La Liga clash in May 2005
Messi celebrates his first goal for Barcelona after scoring against Albacete in a La Liga clash in May 2005
Messi celebrates with team-mates Ronaldinho and Rafael Marquez after Barcelona won the La Liga title in May, 2006
Messi celebrates with team-mates Ronaldinho and Rafael Marquez after Barcelona won the La Liga title in May, 2006
Lionel Messi gets a surprise soaking by a sprinkler during an Argentina training session during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Lionel Messi gets a surprise soaking by a sprinkler during an Argentina training session during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The Barcelona forward gets up close and personal with Argentina team-mate Julio Cruz as he is substituted against Holland in June, 2006.
The Barcelona forward gets up close and personal with Argentina team-mate Julio Cruz as he is substituted against Holland in June, 2006.
Messi followed in the footsteps of Argentine legend Diego Maradona by scoring with his hand against Espanyol in June, 2007.
Messi followed in the footsteps of Argentine legend Diego Maradona by scoring with his hand against Espanyol in June, 2007.
Messi and Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero pose with their gold medals after helping their side to victory at the 2008 Olympics.
Messi and Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero pose with their gold medals after helping their side to victory at the 2008 Olympics.
Messi is congratulated by Pedro and Bojan Krkic after scoring against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final in April 2010.
Messi is congratulated by Pedro and Bojan Krkic after scoring against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final in April 2010.
Messi collects his runner-up award at the 2007 World Player of the Year awards as finished second to Kaka with Cristiano Ronaldo third.
Messi collects his runner-up award at the 2007 World Player of the Year awards as finished second to Kaka with Cristiano Ronaldo third.
Messi poses with his four Ballon d'Or trophies before a La Liga match in January 2013 after picking up the award for 2012.
Messi poses with his four Ballon d'Or trophies before a La Liga match in January 2013 after picking up the award for 2012.
Messi sits with his young son Thiago as Barcelona celebrate winning the Spanish title at the end of the 2012-13 season.
Messi sits with his young son Thiago as Barcelona celebrate winning the Spanish title at the end of the 2012-13 season.
While captaining Argentina at the 2014 World Cup, Messi celebrates scoring against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Maracana Stadium.
While captaining Argentina at the 2014 World Cup, Messi celebrates scoring against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Maracana Stadium.
Messi suffered World Cup heartache with Argentina after losing in the 2014 final against Germany in the Maracana Stadium.
Messi suffered World Cup heartache with Argentina after losing in the 2014 final against Germany in the Maracana Stadium.
Messi is hoisted into the air by his Barcelona team-mates after the Argentine broke the record for most goals in the Spanish league
Messi is hoisted into the air by his Barcelona team-mates after the Argentine broke the record for most goals in the Spanish league
Messi flies through the air as he celebrates his goal against Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp as he helped Barca reach the final.
Messi flies through the air as he celebrates his goal against Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp as he helped Barca reach the final.
Messi kisses the Champions League trophy after winning it for the fourth time as photographers try to catch the perfect snap.
Messi kisses the Champions League trophy after winning it for the fourth time as photographers try to catch the perfect snap.

Published: Mon 27 Jun 2016, 10:01 AM

Last updated: Mon 27 Jun 2016, 1:10 PM

Messi has known his longtime partner, Antonella Roccuzzo, since they were children in Rosario, Argentina. The couple has two children, Thiago and Mateo.
Messi has known his longtime partner, Antonella Roccuzzo, since they were children in Rosario, Argentina. The couple has two children, Thiago and Mateo.

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