Argentina captain Lionel Messi has confirmed his retirement from international football, bringing an end to one of the greatest international careers in football history.
The 39-year-old made his final appearance for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, where the defending champions lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time.
Messi’s decision had been widely expected following the final. The Argentine revealed that he had written his retirement statement two days after the match.
However, the death of his father, Jorge, on August 8, made him even more convinced about his decision.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul, but I realise that the time has come,” Messi wrote.
A Legendary Career With Argentina
Messi leaves the national team as Argentina’s most-capped player, having made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals.
His international career also produced three major trophies. Messi finally ended years of disappointment by winning the Copa America in 2021.
He then led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022 before adding another Copa America title in 2024.
The 2026 World Cup was Messi’s sixth appearance at the tournament, putting him level with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most editions played by a player in men’s World Cup history.
Messi also became only the second player after Brazil’s Cafu to feature in three World Cup finals.
He finished the 2026 tournament with eight goals and four assists and won the Silver Ball as the second-best player of the competition.
Messi’s International Legacy
Messi briefly became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer during the tournament before France captain Kylian Mbappe moved ahead of him.
Despite ending his final World Cup with defeat, Messi said he leaves the national team with “peace of mind and pride”.
He thanked his family, teammates, coaches and supporters for their love and support throughout his 20-year international journey.
Messi’s international career is now over, but his playing career continues with Inter Miami, where he remains under contract until 2028.
