Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an extraordinary chapter of his career with Argentina to an emotional close.
The 39 years old Argentina captain made the announcement on Monday through a handwritten message posted on Instagram, saying that after giving the decision considerable thought, he had concluded that the time had come to step away from the national team.
Messi Confirms His Retirement
In his message, Messi said the decision was painful but explained that he had always given everything for Argentina and for the national-team jersey.
He reflected on his two decades with the national side, saying he had fought through difficult moments as well as celebrated some of the greatest achievements in Argentine football history.
Messi also acknowledged that a new generation of players is emerging and said they deserve the opportunity to represent Argentina.
He wrote that time was running short and that some chapters eventually have to come to an end. He thanked supporters for their affection throughout his international career and said he would now support Argentina from outside the pitch.
His Father’s Death Influenced the Decision
Messi added a personal note explaining that he had originally written the message on July 21, two days after Argentina’s defeat in the 2026 World Cup final.
He said that following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8, he became even more convinced that retiring was the right decision.
Jorge Messi, who was 68, died at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina.
The loss added an emotional dimension to Messi’s decision to close his international career.
Six World Cups and a Historic Career
Messi represented Argentina at six World Cups, winning the tournament in Qatar in 2022 and leading the country to the final again in 2026, where Argentina lost to Spain.
He became Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, recording 125 goals in 207 appearances for the national team.
He is also the highest-scoring male player in South American international football.
Messi’s greatest achievement with Argentina came at the 2022 World Cup. His victory in Qatar ended Argentina’s 36-year wait for a World Cup title and gave the country its third championship.
From Heartbreak to International Glory
Messi’s international career was not always filled with success.
Before finally winning major trophies with Argentina, he experienced repeated disappointment in international finals. Argentina lost three consecutive finals, including the 2014 World Cup final and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals.
In 2016, after another painful defeat, Messi briefly announced his retirement from international football.
He later reversed that decision and returned to the national team.
His comeback eventually produced one of the greatest periods in Argentine football history.
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Copa América Success Changed Everything
In 2021, Messi finally won his first major international trophy with Argentina when the team defeated Brazil to win the Copa América.
The victory ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major senior men’s international title.
Argentina then successfully defended the Copa América title in 2024, giving Messi another major international achievement before the 2026 World Cup.
These victories transformed the narrative surrounding his national-team career from one of repeated disappointment to one of remarkable redemption.
The 2022 World Cup Cemented His Legacy
The 2022 FIFA World Cup became the defining moment of Messi’s international career.
He scored seven goals and provided three assists during the tournament and became the first player to score in every knockout round of a World Cup.
In the final against France, Messi scored twice before Argentina eventually won on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw.
He was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s outstanding player.
The victory fulfilled the dream that had followed him throughout much of his career and placed him alongside Argentina’s greatest football legends.
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Why Messi Is Considered One of the Greatest
Messi’s international legacy is distinguished by his extraordinary longevity, consistency and ability to overcome setbacks.
Unlike players whose greatest international achievements were concentrated in a single tournament, Messi remained a decisive figure for Argentina across six World Cups and numerous Copa América competitions.
His combination of goals, assists, playmaking ability, leadership and longevity made him one of the most influential players in international football.
His journey also stands out because of the dramatic change in his fortunes. After years of criticism and heartbreak with Argentina, he eventually became the leader who delivered the Copa América and World Cup trophies that supporters had been waiting for.
Reactions Pour In Around the World
Messi’s retirement announcement immediately triggered emotional reactions from teammates, football organizations, political leaders and supporters.
His wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, paid tribute to him and recalled watching him continue fighting during difficult periods before eventually seeing him achieve his biggest dreams.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei also thanked Messi for his contribution to the country.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Messi for an extraordinary international career, saying his talent and humility had inspired millions and left a lasting mark on football.
The Argentine Football Association also thanked Messi for representing the country and for giving generations of supporters unforgettable moments.
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Teammates Pay Tribute
Messi’s Argentina and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul highlighted his love for Argentina, resilience and leadership.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, who made his Argentina debut shortly before the 2022 World Cup, also thanked Messi for his guidance and for allowing him to share part of his career.
Former England international Gary Lineker described Messi as a player who carried Argentina’s hopes, dreams and expectations for two decades.
Messi Leaves With an Extraordinary Record
Messi’s international career includes a collection of achievements that place him among football’s greatest players.
He won two Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, while becoming the country’s leading scorer and most-capped player.
His career also included numerous individual records and memorable performances that helped establish him as one of the most influential footballers of his generation.
For Argentina, however, his greatest legacy may be the transformation from a player repeatedly questioned for his failure to win an international trophy into the captain who ultimately delivered the biggest prizes.
A New Generation for Argentina
As Messi prepares to leave international football, Argentina now faces the challenge of moving into a new era.
The national team has a group of younger players capable of carrying the responsibility forward, but replacing a player who has been central to Argentina’s identity for two decades will be extremely difficult.
Messi himself acknowledged this transition, saying that there are young players coming through who deserve their opportunity.
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The End of an Era
Lionel Messi announces international retirement after more than two decades of representing Argentina, closing one of the most remarkable international careers in football history.
From the disappointment of losing major finals and his brief retirement in 2016 to Copa América glory and the 2022 World Cup triumph, Messi’s journey with Argentina has been defined by talent, perseverance, heartbreak and redemption.
His departure marks the end of an era for Argentina and for international football, leaving behind a legacy built not only on extraordinary numbers but also on the unforgettable journey that eventually brought him and his country to the top of the football world.
