Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable careers in the history of the Argentina national team.
The 39-year-old confirmed his decision in an emotional statement, saying he believes the time has come to step away from the national team after two decades of representing the country. “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,” Messi wrote on social media.
The decision comes shortly after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Messi helped Argentina reach the final of the competition and finished with eight goals. His tally fell two short of France forward Kylian Mbappé, who claimed the Adidas Golden Boot.
Messi leaves the national team having earned 207 caps and scored 125 goals, records that underline his extraordinary contribution to Argentina over a career spanning more than 20 years.
He is the most capped player in La Albiceleste history and has scored the most goals for the Argentina national team.
The eight-time Balon d’or winner captained the national team for more than ten years before calling time on his illustrious international career.
His journey with Argentina began in 2005, and despite enduring several painful setbacks early in his career, Messi eventually delivered the major trophies that had eluded him for so long.
Messi made his Argentina debut against Hungary in Budapest in August 2005 after coming off the bench as a substitute in the 63rd minute.
The former Barcelona captain will now focus on his club football with Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.
From Heartbreak To World Cup Glory
Messi’s relationship with the Argentina national team was marked by both extraordinary success and difficult moments.
At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, he led Argentina to the final and was awarded the Adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. However, his campaign ended in disappointment as Germany defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final.
Further heartbreak followed with defeats in the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals, with Messi briefly announcing his international retirement after the latter loss before eventually returning.
The breakthrough finally came at the 2021 Copa América, when Messi lifted his first major international trophy with Argentina after beating Brazil in the final.
He followed that triumph by leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he scored seven goals and was named the tournament’s best player.
The triumph delivered Argentina’s third World Cup title and cemented Messi’s place among the greatest players in the history of the game.
He subsequently added another Copa América title to his collection, giving him two continental championships with La Albiceleste.
Reflecting on his international journey, Messi said his commitment to Argentina had never depended on the outcome.
“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.”
Lionel Messi
‘I Don’t Have Anything More To Give’
Messi acknowledged that walking away was painful but insisted he had reached a point where he could no longer give what was required.
The Argentine captain admitted that the decision had been difficult, particularly given his deep connection with the national team.
“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.”
Lionel Messi
Messi also pointed to the emergence of a younger generation of Argentine players who, in his view, deserve the opportunity to take the national team forward. “Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here,” he added.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner thanked the supporters who accompanied him through the highs and lows of his international career, saying he would now experience Argentina matches from outside the dressing room.
“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.”
Lionel Messi
Messi also expressed gratitude to his family, coaches, teammates and directors who played roles throughout his career. “I take with me unforgettable memories and moments,” he said. “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!”
He ended his statement with a message that reflected the immense pride he has always attached to representing his country. “Thank you God for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!”
Messi revealed that he had actually written the statement two days after the World Cup final, but delayed making his decision public. “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,” he added.
With 207 appearances, 125 goals, a World Cup, two Copa América titles and countless individual records, Messi’s departure marks the closing of an extraordinary chapter in Argentine football.
While his professional club career may continue, his decision means Argentina will now begin life without the player who carried the weight of the nation’s expectations for two decades.
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