Lionel Messi Retires From Argentina: A Legend Steps Away From International Stage

Lionel Messi has played his last match for Argentina.

The iconic soccer superstar has announced that he will be retiring from international play, ending his career with Argentina after 22 years and a World Cup title. However, Messi will continue to play for his MLS club, Inter Miami. 

“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team,” Messi said in a statement translated to English. “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.”

Messi’s decision comes just more than a month after Argentina’s loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Messi said that he wrote his initial retirement statement two days after the loss on July 21, but waited to announce it following the recent death of his father, Jorge.

“Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced of this decision than before,” Messi said.

Messi departs the international game as arguably the most accomplished player ever. The 39-year-old’s 125 career international goals are the second-most ever scored by a men’s player. His 21 goals in the World Cup are also the second-most ever scored in the history of the tournament.

On top of that, Messi became just the second player to ever appear in three men’s FIFA World Cup finals in July. While he lost in his first and third World Cup finals, Messi led Argentina to an epic victory over France in the 2022 men’s FIFA World Cup final. He scored twice in that game, securing the Golden Ball for the tournament. That was Messi’s second World Cup Golden Ball, becoming the first player to win the Golden Ball in the men’s World Cup twice.

Messi also led Argentina to two Copa América wins in his international career.

“I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too,” Messi said. “I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football. 

“There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give. 

“Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here. 

“Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones.”