La Liga giants Barcelona have late on Monday taken to social media, to send a message the way of club icon Lionel Messi. This of course comes on a hugely emotional day all told for the 39-year-old.

After over two decades of service, Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football with his beloved Argentina.

After a heartbreaking defeat in this summer’s World Cup final was followed mere weeks later by the passing of his father, the veteran attacker took to his official Instagram account, to unveil the following lengthy message:

“I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final… today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced of this decision than before. After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team. 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 isn’t 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 don’t 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. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll 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!”

Messi’s heartfelt words have since been followed by a well-earned outpouring of warm messages of gratitude from across the world of football and beyond.

And as alluded to above, adding their name to the list of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s list of well-wishers a short time ago were none other than the club with which he made his name: Barcelona.

Taking to the comments section of Messi’s Instagram post, the Blaugrana wrote:

‘You gave it all until your last breath. Your country and all of Barcelona are proud of the legacy you leave’