Argentina captain Lionel Messi has retired from international football at 39, bringing his remarkable 21-year career with the national team to an end.
Messi announced the decision on Instagram on Monday, August 31, saying it was painful but that he understood the time had come to leave.
It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deep down, but I understand that the time has come.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves Argentina as the country’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals.
From Heartbreak to Glory
Messi’s Argentina career included years of disappointment before he finally found international success.
He lost the 2014 World Cup final and Copa América finals in 2015 and 2016. After Argentina’s 2016 Copa América defeat, he briefly retired from international football before returning.
The comeback changed everything.
Messi helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa América, then led the team to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
He added another Copa América title in 2024 before leading Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final.
His Final Argentina Match
Messi’s final appearance came in the 2026 World Cup final on July 19, when Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time.
According to FIFA, Messi had already written his retirement message two days after the final, but he waited before making it public. His father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 at the age of 68, and Messi later shared the decision with the world.
In his farewell message, Messi also pointed to the next generation of Argentine players.
I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine. Besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.
Messi Still Has Football Left
Messi’s Argentina career may be over, but he has not retired from football.
The 39-year-old will continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where he remains under contract.
For Argentina, however, the Messi era has officially ended.
He leaves with a World Cup, two Copa América titles, 207 appearances and 125 goals, ending one of the greatest international careers football has ever seen.