Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi has announced that he is retiring from international soccer at the age of 39, bringing an end to a 21-year career with Argentina that included a World Cup triumph, two Copa América titles and a record 125 goals. The retirement comes weeks after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain and shortly after the death of Messi’s father, Jorge.
Messi announced his decision Monday in a handwritten statement shared on Instagram. He said he had spent significant time thinking about his future following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final on July 19.
“After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team,” Messi wrote.
The decision ends one of the most decorated international careers in soccer history. While Messi retiring from Argentina had been anticipated following the 2026 World Cup, the announcement still marks a major moment for the national team and world soccer.
Messi Says the Decision Was Painful
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Messi acknowledged that leaving Argentina is an emotional decision, saying it “hurt” and still hurts deeply. However, he said he understands that the time has come to step away.
“I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give,” Messi wrote, while also pointing to the younger players coming through the national team.
The statement was originally written on July 21, two days after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat. Messi added a note explaining that the death of his father later strengthened his conviction that it was time to leave international soccer.
Jorge Messi died on August 8 at a hospital in Rosario at the age of 68. He had played a significant role in his son’s career, including serving as his agent and supporting him throughout his rise from Rosario to Barcelona and eventually to the highest level of international soccer.
A Record-Breaking Argentina Career
Lionel Messi has RETIRED from the Argentinian National Team! 🇦🇷
Thank you for the memories Magician 🐐 pic.twitter.com/OPBfphTi90— Blue frame🩵 (@Blueframe421) August 31, 2026
Messi finishes his Argentina career as the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer. He made 207 appearances for the national team and scored 125 goals.
His international career began in 2005, and he went on to play at six World Cups. He won the Golden Ball at the 2014 and 2022 tournaments and became the first player to win the award twice.
His biggest achievement came in Qatar in 2022, when he captained Argentina to its first World Cup title since 1986. The victory also completed the major international prize that had eluded him for much of his career.
Messi also led Argentina to Copa América victories in 2021 and 2024, ending a long period of disappointment for the national team.
From International Frustration to Argentina Icon
Messi’s relationship with Argentina was not always straightforward.
Before his late-career success, he endured several painful defeats with the national team. Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and suffered back-to-back Copa América final defeats in 2015 and 2016.
Following the 2016 Copa América Centenario final, Messi briefly announced his international retirement. He eventually reversed the decision and returned to lead Argentina through its most successful period in decades.
The turnaround changed how he was viewed at home. After years of criticism and comparisons with Diego Maradona, Messi became one of the country’s most celebrated sporting figures.
The 2026 World Cup Brings His Final Chapter
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The 2026 World Cup was widely expected to be Messi’s final appearance at the tournament, and Argentina came within one victory of another championship.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the final, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. Messi was visibly emotional after the final whistle, and the defeat ultimately became the final competitive appearance of his international career.
Messi later wrote that he would miss hearing Argentina’s supporters from the field but would now support the national team from the outside.
“Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside,” he wrote.
Messi Leaves Argentina With Nothing Left to Prove
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Although Lionel Messi is retiring without another World Cup title, he leaves international soccer with a legacy few players can match.
He won the World Cup, two Copa América titles and the Finalissima with Argentina while setting records for appearances and goals. His 125 international goals also make him the highest-scoring player in South American men’s international soccer.
For Argentina, Lionel Messi retiring means the end of an era that began more than two decades ago. For Messi, however, the decision represents the closing of a chapter he believes he has given everything to.
“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, alongside my teammates, moments we once only dreamed of,” he wrote.
“I love you! Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.”
Messi is now retired from international soccer, but his club career continues. The Argentine superstar remains with Inter Miami, meaning his presence on the soccer field is not disappearing just yet.
What has changed is that Argentina will now have to move forward without the player who defined its national team for more than 20 years.
Featured image: @fifaworldcup/Instagram
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