Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a storied 21-year career with Argentina. The 39-year-old forward, who holds the record as his nation’s leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances, confirmed the decision following Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final in the United States.
Reflecting on the choice, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time,” Messi wrote. He emphasized his lifelong commitment to the national side, stating, “I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt.”
Messi’s international tenure was highlighted by his 2022 World Cup victory in Doha and two Copa America titles. However, his final campaign concluded with a 1-0 defeat to a superior Spain side at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Following the loss, which left him in tears while receiving his runner-up medal, Messi admitted the pain was “immense” and would take a long time to heal.
The tournament final was marred by post-match altercations, leading to fines and bans for several Argentine players, including Leandro Paredes, who was cited for physical confrontations with Spain’s Eric Garcia and Gavi. Despite the difficult end to the tournament, Messi had been a driving force for his team, contributing eight goals and two assists, including a pivotal performance in the semi-final comeback against England.
The announcement follows a period of personal reflection for the star. Following the death of his father, Jorge, in August, Messi had expressed “serious doubts” about his future in the sport, questioning how he could continue playing. While he remains under contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami until the end of the 2028 season, his time with the national team has reached its conclusion.
Looking toward the future, Messi expressed confidence in the next wave of talent emerging within the Argentine squad. “I love, I loved, and I will always love being on the national team,” he stated. “I gave everything I had, I have nothing more to give, and besides, there are some very talented young players coming up behind me who deserve to be there.” The report also notes that i don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on. The report also notes that and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer,” he said then, i just played football. The report also notes that but the dream of lifting the trophy again proved one match too far as the South Americans were defeated by Spain in the MetLife Stadium in a match that ended in ugly scenes.
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