Lionel Messi has officially retired from international football, bringing to an end a 20-year Argentina career that saw him become his country’s leading goalscorer and assist provider and win the major honours he had once been expected to deliver.
The 39-year-old forward finishes with 207 appearances for Argentina after making his senior debut in 2005. His decision follows the team’s run to the 2026 World Cup final, with Messi saying he had resolved to step away shortly after the tournament.
Messi wrote his retirement statement on 21 July, two days after the final, and shared it in a social media post.
“It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all – not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football,” the post read.
The death of his father, Jorge, also contributed to Messi confirming his decision. Before the 2026 World Cup, the forward had acknowledged that he was unsure whether he would continue representing Argentina after the competition.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here,” he added.
Messi’s time with Argentina includes Copa America victories in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He also leaves the international stage after helping the team reach the 2026 World Cup final.
His relationship with Argentina was transformed during the later stages of his career. Messi’s early years with the national side were marked by repeated disappointment, including defeats in major finals, but he eventually helped the country secure the trophies its supporters had waited for.
The Copa America win in 2021 was Argentina’s first major senior men’s international title since 1993. A year later, Messi lifted the Finalissima before leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar.
Further Copa America success followed in 2024, reinforcing his position as the central figure of Argentina’s most successful modern era. His final tournament with the national team ended with another appearance in a World Cup final, although it did not add a second world title to his collection.
After two decades, 207 caps and a record number of goals and assists for Argentina, Messi has decided that his international career is complete.
