Argentina legend Lionel Messi confirms his international retirement after a record-breaking career and another World Cup final appearance.
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after guiding Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, bringing an extraordinary 21-year career with the national team to an emotional conclusion.
The 39-year-old Argentina captain confirmed the decision on Monday, admitting that walking away from international football was painful but saying he believed the time had come to step aside.
Messi explained that he had always given everything for Argentina, stressing that his commitment extended beyond the period when the team enjoyed major tournament success. He said representing the national team had been one of the defining parts of his career.
World Cup Glory and Final Heartbreak
Messi famously led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, defeating France on penalties in a thrilling final in Doha. Four years later, he once again carried his country to the biggest match in international football.
Argentina reached the 2026 World Cup final in the United States after a dramatic campaign, with Messi contributing eight goals and two assists. He also played a key role in Argentina’s late comeback against England in the semi-final.
However, the dream of securing another World Cup title ended with a 1-0 defeat against Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Messi was visibly emotional after the final and later described the defeat as immense, acknowledging that it would take considerable time for the disappointment to heal.
Record-Breaking International Career
Messi leaves the Argentina setup as the country’s most-capped player and leading scorer. He made 207 international appearances and scored 125 goals during his remarkable career.
Alongside his World Cup triumph, Messi also helped Argentina win two Copa America titles, cementing his status as one of the greatest players in international football history.
His decision also comes after the death of his father, Jorge, in August. Messi had previously admitted that the loss had caused him to seriously question how much longer he wanted to continue playing football.
Messi Makes Way for Argentina’s Next Generation
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said Argentina now has a talented group of young players ready to take responsibility for the national team.
Messi’s departure marks the end of an era for Argentina, although he remains under contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami until the end of the 2028 season.