Lionel Messi Announces Retirement From Argentina National Team

Lionel Messi has ended his Argentina career 43 days after the team lost the World Cup final to Spain, closing more than two decades with the national side.

The 39-year-old captain announced his decision on Instagram in a message addressed to supporters across Argentina. He described the retirement as painful, but said he understood that the time had come.

"This is a painful decision and it still feels very difficult, but I understand that the time has come," Messi wrote. He said he had always fought and given everything for Argentina's shirt, seeking to bring supporters happiness and make them proud to be Argentine through football.

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This is a painful decision and it still feels very difficult, but I understand that the time has come.

Messi debuted for Argentina in August 2005. He eventually lifted the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, when Argentina beat France on penalties in a dramatic final in Doha. The victory gave the country its third world title.

His final major disappointment came in the final against Spain at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. Argentina lost 1-0, denying Messi the second consecutive World Cup title he had hoped to win. He had previously lost the 2014 final to Germany in Brazil.

Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, made 207 appearances for Argentina and scored 125 goals. He now plays for Inter Miami in North America's league.

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I have always fought and given everything I had for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you proud to be Argentine through football.