Lionel Messi Announces Retirement from International Football

Argentine football star Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his career with the Argentina national team after more than two decades of representing his country.

The 39-year-old confirmed his decision on Monday in a statement posted on Instagram, saying he had given everything to the national team and believed the time had come to step aside. Messi expressed his continued love for Argentina and said he was proud of everything achieved with the national team.

Messi’s decision comes after Argentina reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where the team lost 1–0 to Spain after extra time. The match marked his final appearance for Argentina.

During his international career, Messi helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, as well as the FIFA World Cup in 2022. He also became Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, finishing his international career with 207 appearances and 125 goals.

Messi’s retirement from the national team marks the end of one of the most successful international careers in football. However, the decision is limited to international football, with the Argentine star continuing his professional club career with Inter Miami.