Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest international careers in the history of the game.
The Argentina captain has decided to step away from the national team after an extraordinary two decades representing his country, ending a journey that included years of heartbreak before ultimately delivering Argentina's greatest footballing triumphs.
Messi revealed his decision in an emotional statement, explaining that he had initially written his retirement message on July 21, two days after Argentina's defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The 39-year-old said events surrounding his father have since strengthened his belief that now is the right time to bring his international career to an end.
“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team,” Messi said.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.”
Messi insisted that he had always given everything to the Argentina shirt, even during the difficult years when major international success repeatedly eluded him.
“I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too,” he said.
“I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
The announcement marks the end of a remarkable international career that began when Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005.
For much of his early career, the Barcelona legend was forced to endure comparisons with Diego Maradona and intense criticism from supporters who believed his extraordinary club success had not been replicated with the national team.
Those frustrations reached their peak between 2014 and 2016, when Messi suffered defeat in the 2014 World Cup final and consecutive Copa América final losses in 2015 and 2016.
Following the 2016 Copa América final defeat to Chile, Messi briefly announced his retirement from international football before reversing his decision and returning to Argentina duty.
His return would ultimately change the course of Argentine football.
Messi finally ended his wait for a major international trophy at the 2021 Copa América, scoring in the tournament and leading Argentina to victory over Brazil in the final at the Maracanã.
That success was followed by victory over Italy in the 2022 Finalissima before Messi achieved the ultimate prize later that year.
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Messi produced one of the defining tournaments of his career, scoring seven goals and providing three assists as Argentina defeated France on penalties in one of the greatest finals ever played.
He lifted the World Cup trophy in Doha and finally completed the piece of silverware that had eluded him throughout his career. Messi subsequently helped Argentina retain the Copa América title in 2024 before leading the team into the 2026 World Cup.
Even at 39, he remained central to Argentina's ambitions and played a key role as the reigning champions reached another World Cup final.
However, Argentina's campaign ultimately ended in disappointment as Spain defeated them 1-0 after extra time in the final.
Despite the defeat, Messi leaves the national team having established himself as Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer and appearance holder, while becoming the face of the most successful period in the country's modern football history.
His retirement statement also acknowledged the emergence of a new generation of Argentine players.
“There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end,” Messi said. “This is one that hurts me a lot.”
“I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give.”
Messi added that Argentina now has young players who deserve their opportunity to represent the country. He also thanked his family, coaches, teammates, directors and supporters for accompanying him throughout his 20-year international journey.
“I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of,” Messi said.
“It was crazy to experience all of this with you. I love you!”
He concluded his message with words that encapsulate his enduring connection with his homeland:
“Thank you God for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!”
For Argentina, Messi's retirement represents the end of an era.
The player who endured years of criticism and disappointment before becoming a World Cup-winning captain will now watch the national team from the outside.
“I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside,” Messi said. “Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones.”
After 20 years, countless records and a collection of international trophies that finally matched his unparalleled club career, Lionel Messi's Argentina story has reached its final chapter.
