Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing his remarkable 20-year career with the national team to an end.
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Messi announced the decision on Monday, August 31, 2026, in an emotional statement shared through his social media account.
The 39-year-old disclosed that he decided to step away from the national team shortly after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
“This hurts me a lot, but I feel it is the right time,” Messi said.
“I gave everything I had for this shirt, for my country and for the joy of our people. I leave with pride and with memories that will remain with me forever.”
Messi said he was grateful to his family, teammates, coaches and Argentine supporters for standing by him throughout his international career.
He expressed confidence in Argentina’s emerging generation of players, saying it was time for them to take responsibility and write a new chapter for the national team.
Messi made his senior international debut for Argentina in 2005 and went on to become the country’s record appearance holder and highest goalscorer.
He leaves the international stage after reportedly making 207 appearances and scoring 125 goals for Argentina.
His early international career was marked by painful defeats, including the 2014 World Cup final loss to Germany and successive Copa América final defeats.
Messi briefly announced his international retirement following Argentina’s defeat by Chile in the 2016 Copa América final but reversed the decision and returned to the national team.
His long wait for a senior international trophy ended in 2021 when Argentina defeated Brazil to win the Copa América.
He subsequently led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar, defeating France on penalties after a dramatic final.
Messi also won the 2022 Finalissima and a second consecutive Copa América title in 2024.
Argentina’s attempt to retain the World Cup ended with a narrow defeat to Spain in the 2026 final, denying Messi a fairytale conclusion to his final international tournament.
Despite retiring from international duty, Messi has not retired from professional football.
He will continue playing club football for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, where he remains under contract until 2028.
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