Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after a career in which he captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and led the country to another final four years later.
The 39-year-old leaves as Argentina’s most-capped player and leading goalscorer, having registered 125 goals across 207 appearances. His departure brings an end to a remarkable international journey that evolved from years of frustration into one of the greatest stories of redemption in football.
“It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come,” the 39-year-old Messi wrote on Instagram on Monday.
“I swear to you that I always gave it my all – not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”
Messi had hoped to end his international career by lifting the World Cup for a second time, but Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat by Spain in the 2026 final denied him the farewell he had envisioned. Nevertheless, his status as one of football’s greatest players had been firmly established long before his final appearance.
His success with Argentina came after a prolonged period of international disappointment. Messi was part of the team beaten by Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and also suffered consecutive defeats in Copa America finals.
The breakthrough finally arrived in 2021, when Argentina won the Copa America and gave Messi his first major senior international trophy. He followed that triumph by leading the national side to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022.
Messi claimed a second Copa America crown in 2024 before entering his sixth World Cup with an opportunity to complete one final chapter in an extraordinary career.
Although Spain prevented Argentina from retaining the trophy, Messi retires having created a legacy distinct from that of Diego Maradona, the captain of the country’s 1986 World Cup-winning team. Since making his senior debut in 2005, he has become another defining figure in Argentina’s football history.
“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you – alongside my teammates – moments we once only dreamed of,” Messi added.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward had raised doubts about his future following the death of his father, Jorge, in August, saying he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any sort for “much longer”.
Messi will remain active at club level for now. His contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.
