Messi Retires From International Football After Glittering Argentina Career

Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable career with the national team.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner made the emotional announcement in a statement, just over a month after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.

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Messi, who scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina, said the decision to leave the national team was painful but insisted that the time had come to bring the chapter of his international career to a close.

“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.”

The Inter Miami star reflected on his years representing Argentina, saying he had always given everything to the national team, both during the country’s successful years and before their major triumphs.

Messi captained Argentina to an unprecedented run of success between 2021 and 2024, winning two Copa America titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

During the 2026 World Cup, the Argentine icon scored eight goals, taking his overall tally at the tournament to 21 goals after featuring in five consecutive editions of the competition.

In his farewell message, Messi expressed gratitude to his family, coaches, teammates and supporters, while noting that a new generation of players deserved the opportunity to represent Argentina.

“There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot,” he said.

“There are great young players coming through who deserve to be here.”

Messi also thanked Argentine fans for their support throughout his two decades with the national team.

“Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones,” he added.

The football icon’s decision came after the death of his father, Jorge, which he said further strengthened his conviction that retirement from international football was the right decision.

“I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of,” Messi said.

“I love you.”

Messi leaves Argentina as one of the greatest players ever to represent the country, having helped deliver some of the most memorable moments in the nation’s football history.