Lionel Messi Retires From International Football

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an extraordinary 20-year chapter with Argentina to an end.

The 39-year-old confirmed his decision in a statement shared on Instagram, saying he was leaving the national side with pride after achieving dreams that once seemed impossible. His departure follows Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

Messi originally wrote his farewell message on July 21, two days after the defeat, but delayed making it public following the death of his father, Jorge, on August 8.

“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come,” Messi wrote.

The legendary forward ends his international career as Argentina’s leading scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances. He also registered 68 assists during his time with La Albiceleste.

Across six World Cup campaigns, Messi reached three finals, lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022 before guiding Argentina to another championship match in 2026. His tournament exploits also established him as one of the competition’s greatest performers.

Messi became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer during this year’s tournament after taking his tally to 21 goals, although France striker Kylian Mbappé subsequently moved ahead with 22.

His relationship with Argentina was not always straightforward. Despite his brilliance at Barcelona, the attacker endured years of disappointment with his country. He lost the 2014 World Cup final and suffered three consecutive Copa América final defeats, including the 2016 loss to Chile.

Following that defeat, Messi briefly announced his international retirement before reversing the decision weeks later.

His persistence eventually delivered the silverware that had eluded him. Argentina won the 2021 Copa América, followed by the 2022 World Cup, before retaining the continental crown in 2024.

The latest World Cup also demonstrated that age had done little to diminish his influence. Messi scored eight times and supplied four assists, finishing second behind Mbappé in the tournament’s scoring standings.

In his farewell message, the Argentine icon said he had given everything to the national shirt and expressed confidence in the emerging generation.

“There’s not much time left, and chapters are coming to a close,” he wrote. “I’ve given it my all; I have nothing left to give.”

Messi will continue his professional career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Argentina’s football federation has also announced plans to retire the iconic No. 10 shirt permanently in his honour, marking the lasting legacy of a player widely regarded as one of football’s greatest ever.