Lionel Messi Announces Retirement from Argentina’s National Team

Lionel Messi announced Monday that he is retiring from international soccer and stepping down from Argentina’s national team at age 39.

In an Instagram post featuring a handwritten notebook entry in Spanish, Messi confirmed his decision. A footnote at the end of the post read: “*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”

Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, died Aug. 8 at a hospital in Rosario, a city in central Argentina. He was 68.

Messi played in six World Cups, won the tournament with Argentina in Qatar in 2022 and led the country to the 2026 final, where Argentina lost to Spain.

Messi’s retirement announcement

“After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the Argentina national team…”

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.

“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.”

“Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad — especially the bad).”

“Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey — so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.”

“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!”

“Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.”

“Let’s go, Argentina!”

“*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”

Messi’s Argentina record

Messi is one of Argentina’s greatest soccer heroes, alongside Diego Maradona. The Argentina captain is the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 124 goals in 203 appearances for the national team.

He is also the highest-scoring man in South American soccer history.

When Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, it was the country’s first championship in 36 years and its third overall.

Before that triumph, Messi played a key role in ending Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought. He helped the team win the 2021 Copa América and then claim the tournament again in 2024.

Messi had previously announced his international retirement in 2016 after captaining Argentina in three consecutive finals without winning any of them. He reversed that decision soon afterward and went on to lead the country to its World Cup victory.