Lionel Messi Retires from Argentina’s National Team

Lionel Messi has decided that the time has come to leave Argentina’s national team, six weeks after the country’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

Messi announced the decision on Instagram. “It is a painful decision. But I know that now is the right moment,” he said. At 39, he departs after 207 appearances and 125 goals, both records for Argentina, the three-time world champion.

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It is a painful decision. But I know that now is the right moment.

His 21-year international career reached its peak with Argentina’s 2026 World Cup triumph. He also helped the team win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024. At this year’s World Cup, he scored eight goals and provided four assists as Argentina reached the final, showing that he remained among the leading players of his generation.

Messi said he had written his farewell statement on July 21, two days after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time in the final at East Rutherford. The defeat was followed weeks later by the death of his father, Jorge Messi, after which the captain had already hinted that his international career might soon end.

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I leave with the certainty and pride that, together with my teammates, I gave you moments we could only dream of.

Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia thanked Messi for carrying the national flag to the top of world football. “There are no words in the dictionary enough to thank you for everything you have given us, Captain,” Tapia said.

Messi had previously retired from international football in 2016, but returned two years later for the 2018 World Cup. He continues to play successfully for Inter Miami in the United States.

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There are no words in the dictionary enough to thank you for everything you have given us, Captain.