Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable 20-year career with the Argentina national team.
The 39-year-old confirmed his decision on Monday, August 31, 2026, through an emotional message shared on his official social media accounts, weeks after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Messi said the decision was painful but that he believed the time had come to step aside, adding that younger players deserved an opportunity to represent Argentina.
“Me vacié, ya no tengo más para dar” meaning he had given everything and had nothing more to give Messi said in his farewell message.
The decision marks the end of one of the most decorated international careers in football history. Messi leaves Argentina after making a record 207 appearances and scoring 125 goals. He won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Copa America.
His international journey was not always filled with success. Messi suffered defeats in the 2014 World Cup final and Copa América finals before finally ending Argentina’s long wait for a major senior trophy with victory at the 2021 Copa America.
A year later, he captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, winning the Golden Ball and completing one of the biggest chapters of his career.
The 2026 World Cup was intended to provide another opportunity for Messi to lift the trophy. Instead, Argentina finished runners-up after Spain secured a 1-0 extra-time victory in the final. Messi nevertheless ended the tournament having helped Argentina reach its second consecutive World Cup final.
Messi’s decision also comes after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August. The Argentina captain had previously spoken about uncertainty surrounding his football future following his father’s death, although his eventual announcement specifically concerned his international career.
Despite ending his Argentina career, Messi has not retired from professional football. He remains with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, who recently extended his contract through the end of the 2028 MLS season.
Messi’s departure closes a remarkable chapter for Argentina. From the criticism he faced during the early years of his senior international career to becoming a World Cup-winning captain and one of the country’s most celebrated sporting figures, his journey has transformed his place in Argentine football history.
After two decades, 207 appearances, 125 goals and a World Cup triumph, Argentina must now begin the difficult task of moving into the post-Messi era.
