Published : 01 Sep 2026, 05:29 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:37 AM
Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and the final in 2026, is retiring from international football, he said on Monday.
The record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is his country's record appearance-maker and scorer with 125 goals in 207 games, having transformed a complicated relationship with the national team into a story of redemption and triumph.
"It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football," the 39-year-old Messi wrote on Instagram.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”
"I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of," he added.
Messi said he had written his retirement statement on Jul 21, two days after the World Cup final, and that the death last month of his father, Jorge, had confirmed it was the right moment to publish it and end his international career.
Defeat in this year's World Cup final by Spain denied Messi a fairytale farewell, but his place among the game's greats had long since been secured.
After years of disappointment with Argentina, including defeat in the 2014 World Cup final and successive Copa America finals, Messi won his first major international trophy at the 2021 Copa America before leading his country to glory at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain forward who now plays for Inter Miami added another Copa America title in 2024 and arrived at his sixth World Cup hoping to complete an extraordinary final chapter.
A 1-0 loss to Spain ensured that did not happen but Messi, who made his Argentina debut in 2005, walks away having emerged from the shadow of 1986 World Cup-winning captain Diego Maradona to forge a legacy of his own as another defining figure in his country's football history.
He is the highest-scoring man in South American football history.
In 2022, he led Argentina to victory in the World Cup -- the country's first in 36 years.
Before that, Messi played an essential role in ending Argentina's 28-year trophy drought by winning the 2021 Copa América and then winning it again in 2024.
Messi first called time on his Argentina career in 2016 after suffering defeat in three straight finals as captain.
But he quickly changed course, returning to lead Argentina to World Cup triumph.
A Career Like No Other
From a gifted youngster in Rosario to one of global football’s most decorated superstars, Lionel Messi has won virtually every major honour available, including the FIFA World Cup, Copa America, UEFA Champions League, and multiple domestic league titles across a career spanning over two decades.
His genius with the ball, unrivalled vision, and remarkable goalscoring have made him one of the most influential players in football history. Messi has also rewritten the record books, becoming Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and appearance maker.
After years of heartbreak, he finally lifted the World Cup in 2022, completing one of the most celebrated chapters in modern football. Beyond the trophies and statistics, the Argentine legend’s career stands out for its consistency and ability to deliver on football’s biggest stages.
Messi’s Goodbye Letter
After all this time that has passed since the final, and after much thought, I want to announce to everyone that I am retiring from the National Team…
It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts, to my core, but I understand that it's the right time. I swear that I always gave my all, not just in the last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentinian through football.
There's not much time left, and chapters are closing, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, loved, and will always love being on the National Team. I've given everything I have; I have nothing more to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up behind me who deserve to be there.
Thank you for all the love and support over these 20 years. I'm going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I'm going to be just one of you, cheering and supporting you from the sidelines (in good times and bad, even more so).
Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to each and every one of the coaches, teammates, and managers I had the privilege of working with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.
I leave with the peace and pride of having given you, along with my teammates, dreamlike moments. It was incredible to have experienced it with you all. I love you!
Thank you, God, for making me Argentinian.
Go Argentina!
*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened to my dad, I'm even more convinced than before.
[With inputs from Reuters, The Guardian, BBC, ESPN]
