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Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who led his country to World Cup glory in 2022 and is considered one of the greatest players of all time, has retired from international football more than two decades after his debut.
The 39-year-old played in three finals across six World Cups with Argentina, finishing runner-up in 2014 and 2026. He scored 125 goals in 207 games for his country, twice winning South America’s Copa América.
“It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts, deep in my soul, but I realise that the time has come,” Messi wrote on Instagram. “I swear to you that I’ve always given my all, not just in recent years, but back when we won everything too.”
He said he had written the statement, which was released on Monday, just two days after Argentina’s 1-0 loss against Spain in the 2026 World Cup final on July 19.
He added that he was “even more convinced than before” of the decision following the death of his father Jorge, an instrumental figure in his life and career, in early August.
Despite losing the 2026 final against a superior Spanish team, Messi’s legacy is secure. He has won the coveted Ballon d’Or, which recognises the world’s top football player, a record eight times.
In his prime, Messi amazed Barcelona fans with his dribbling skills and prolific goalscoring and assists until a tearful departure in August 2021, when the club was buckling under a massive wage bill and hefty debts in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
He joined Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain later that summer. The club dominated the French league as usual, but Messi failed to add to the three Uefa Champions League titles he had won with Barcelona.
However, Messi was player of the tournament at Qatar 2022, when he led Argentina to its first World Cup triumph in 36 years. In 1986, the hero had been another great Number 10, the charismatic and powerful dribbler Diego Maradona. Messi had emulated the Argentina legend.
Like his biggest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi saw a future outside Europe. The Portuguese forward had already moved to play in Saudi Arabia after a club career at Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Messi joined Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer team co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, in 2023. Last October, he signed a contract extension through the 2028 MLS season, which will take him into his forties and the twilight of a glittering career.
The Argentine Football Association said Messi’s story with the national team had become part of the country’s identity.
“Thank you for everything, Leo. Thank you for representing Argentina. Thank you for making us dream. Thank you for turning so many dreams into reality,” the AFA said.
Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, said in a post on social media: “Thank you very much, IMPOSSIBLE MAN.”
Additional reporting by Ciara Nugent in Buenos Aires
