Buenos Aires, August 31: Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his career with the Argentina national team following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi made the announcement in a written statement, saying he had reached the decision after giving it considerable thought following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.
“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. “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.”
Messi said he had always given everything for Argentina and that he had no more to give at this stage of his international career.
“There is not 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,” he said.
He also pointed to the emergence of younger players in the national team, saying they deserved opportunities to represent Argentina.
Messi thanked his family, coaches, teammates and officials who had been part of his international career. He also said he would continue supporting Argentina as a fan.
The announcement came weeks after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who died on August 8 in Rosario at the age of 68.
Messi is Argentina’s most-capped player and leading scorer, with 203 international appearances and 124 goals. He is also the leading scorer in South American international football.
His international career included six FIFA World Cup appearances between 2006 and 2026. He scored 21 goals in 34 World Cup matches, finishing second on the tournament’s all-time scoring list behind France forward Kylian Mbappe.
Messi led Argentina to the 2021 Copa America title, ending the country’s 28-year wait for a major international trophy. Argentina then won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, defeating France on penalties after the final ended 3-3 following extra time. Messi scored twice in the final and converted his penalty in the shootout.
Argentina also won the 2024 Copa America, with Messi part of the squad that retained the continental title.
Messi had announced his retirement from international football in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile. He later reversed the decision and continued with the national team.
At the 2026 World Cup, Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists. He also scored his first World Cup hat-trick against Algeria during the tournament.
Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.