Buenos Aires: Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an emotional end to one of the greatest careers in the history of the Argentina national team.
The 39-year-old forward confirmed his decision on Monday through a heartfelt social media statement, saying that after considerable thought, he believes the time has come to step away from the national team. Messi said the decision was painful but added that he had given everything he could to the famous Argentina jersey.
Messi’s announcement comes after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The match proved to be his final appearance for the national side. He had led Argentina to consecutive World Cup finals, winning the tournament in 2022 and finishing runner-up in 2026.
Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s most-capped player and leading goalscorer. He made his senior debut in 2005 and finished his international career with 207 appearances and 125 goals. During his remarkable journey, he won the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 World Cup and the 2022 Finalissima.
The decision also comes weeks after the death of Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, on August 8. Messi had previously expressed doubts about how much longer he would continue playing football, and he said the loss made him even more certain about his decision.
Messi also acknowledged the emergence of a new generation of Argentine players who deserve opportunities with the national team. He thanked his family, teammates, coaches and supporters for their backing throughout his two-decade international career.
While Messi has ended his Argentina career, his club future remains separate. He continues to play for Inter Miami, meaning fans could still see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner on the club stage.
With his retirement, an extraordinary chapter of Argentine football has come to an end. Messi leaves behind a legacy defined by records, major trophies and a historic transformation of his relationship with the national team.
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