Lionel Messi Announces International Retirement

Lionel Messi has chosen what he called the “right time” to leave Argentina’s national team, two days after the team’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

The loss ended Messi’s final appearance at football’s biggest tournament on a disappointing note. Four years earlier, he had captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, restoring the trophy to the country for the first time since 1986.

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It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul,” Messi wrote in a message posted on Instagram. But he added that he understood it was time to step away. Messi said he had always given everything for Argentina and wanted to bring joy to supporters and make them “feel proud to be Argentine through football.”

“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, alongside my teammates, moments we once only dreamed of,” he wrote, ending with “Vamos, Argentina!”

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But I understand that it is the right time.

Messi leaves as Argentina’s record international appearance holder, with 207 caps and 125 goals. During his time as captain, Argentina also won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.

His club career will continue at Inter Miami, where he is contracted until the end of the 2028 MLS season. Messi has expressed “serious doubts” about playing for much longer after the death of his father, Jorge, in August. He joined Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, following 15 years with Barcelona, where he won four Champions League titles and 10 Spanish league titles.

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I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, alongside my teammates, moments we once only dreamed of.