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Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at 39, ending a remarkable 21 year career with Argentina after winning the country’s biggest trophies.
Mariyam Adheela
Messi reacts after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain — Photo: Reuters
Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his 21 year career with the national team. Messi announced his decision on Instagram yesterday, saying the decision was painful but that he believed it was the right time to step away.
The eight time Ballon d’Or winner leaves Argentina as the country’s most capped player and leading goal scorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals.
Messi made his senior international debut in 2005 and went on to lead Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, he also won the “Copa America” in 2021 and 2024, ending years of disappointment with the national team after several major final defeats.
His final international appearance came in the 2026 World Cup final, where Argentina lost 1 to 0 to Spain after extra time.
Messi had originally written his retirement message shortly after the World Cup final but decided to make it public later. He said the emergence of younger players also influenced his decision.
Messi’s retirement closes one of the most successful chapters in Argentina’s football history.
He previously announced his international retirement in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile, but later returned to the national team.
Messi is not retiring from professional football altogether. He continues to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, with his contract running through the 2028 season.
