Lionel Messi officially announced his retirement from international football on Monday, ending a storied 20-year career with the Argentina national team.
The 39-year-old captain made the decision public six weeks after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Messi revealed that he originally penned his farewell message on July 21, two days after the final, before confirming his decision following the recent death of his father, Jorge.
"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 Argentina national team," Messi wrote in a statement published on his official Instagram account. "It was a decision that hurt—and still hurts deep down—but I understand that the time has come. I gave 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 steps away as Argentina's all-time leading appearance maker and goalscorer, concluding his international career with 125 goals in 207 caps. His two-decade run with La Albiceleste includes victories at the 2021 and 2024 Copa América tournaments, the 2022 Finalissima, and the crowning achievement of his international career at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The global governing body FIFA acknowledged the announcement on Monday, celebrating the forward's unmatched legacy. In its official statement, FIFA noted that Messi leaves the international stage holding numerous World Cup records, including the most matches played in tournament history.
