Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an emotional end to one of the greatest careers in the history of the Argentina national team.
The 39-year-old Argentine superstar confirmed on Monday, August 31, that he will no longer represent Argentina, ending more than two decades of service to the national team.
Messi made the announcement through an emotional statement on social media, revealing that the decision was painful but that he believes the time has come to step away.
The decision follows Argentina’s heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, a match that proved to be Messi’s final appearance for the national team.
A glorious international career
Messi leaves Argentina as the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, finishing his international career with 207 appearances and 125 goals.
His journey with Argentina was filled with both heartbreak and historic triumphs.
After years of criticism and painful defeats in major finals, Messi finally lifted his first major senior international trophy when Argentina won the 2021 Copa América.
He then helped Argentina defeat Italy in the 2022 Finalissima before producing the defining achievement of his career — leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022.
Messi also guided Argentina to the 2024 Copa América title, further cementing his status as one of the greatest players ever to wear the famous blue-and-white shirt.
His final world cup chapter
The 2026 World Cup gave Messi another opportunity to make history.
At 39, he became the first player to appear in six World Cups, and Argentina reached the final once again. Messi scored eight goals during the tournament and finished his World Cup career with 21 goals, placing him among the competition’s greatest-ever scorers.
However, the dream of lifting another World Cup ended when Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final.
That defeat ultimately became the final chapter of Messi’s international playing career.
“Now I will be just another fan”
In his farewell message, Messi reflected on the passage of time and the emergence of a new generation of Argentine players.
He said he had given everything he had to the national team and believed there was nothing more he could offer on the pitch. He also expressed his love for Argentina and thanked his family, teammates, coaches, officials and supporters who accompanied him throughout his extraordinary journey.
Messi also revealed that he had actually written his farewell message on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, but formally announced the decision weeks later. He said events surrounding the death of his father further strengthened his decision.
A Legendary Legacy
Messi’s retirement marks the end of an era for Argentine football.
From the young boy who made his Argentina debut in 2005 to the captain who eventually delivered the World Cup every Argentine supporter had dreamed of, his journey has been extraordinary.
He leaves the national team with a World Cup, two Copa América titles, a Finalissima, Olympic gold and countless individual records.
While Messi will no longer wear the Argentina shirt, his football career is not over. He continues to play club football with Inter Miami, where he remains under contract through 2028.
For Argentina, however, the Lionel Messi era is officially over.
The little boy from Rosario became Argentina’s greatest football hero.
Thank you, Leo.
Legend. Captian. World Champion. Forever Argentine.
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