Lionel Messi officially announced his retirement from international football with the Argentina national team, ending a nearly two-decade career with the team.
Messi announced his decision on Aug. 31 on Instagram seven weeks after Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the FIFA World Cup final. He wrote in Spanish, “After the time that has passed since the final, thinking a lot, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team. It is a decision that hurts my soul but I know it is time. I can say for sure that I always gave everything, not only in the last few years when we won everything [but] before as well, and I always fought and gave everything for the shirt, to give you joy and make you proud of being Argentinian through football.”
“There’s not long left and chapters are coming to an end – and this is one that hurts me a lot. I love, have loved and I will always love being part of the national team. I have emptied myself: now I have nothing more to give and, besides, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be [selected],” Messi continued.
Messi already considered retiring from international football following Argentina’s loss to Spain. According to CBS Sports, Messi wrote out the announcement two days after the World Cup final but waited before making it public. The recent death of his father on Aug. 8 influenced his decision. Messi said he was “even more convinced of this decision than before.”
He has represented Argentina for 21 years after making his debut in 2005. Messi leaves the national team as its record appearance holder and leading scorer, a 2022 World Cup winner and two-time Copa América champion. He finished his international career with 207 appearances and 125 goals.
However, his international career had its ups and downs. Messi lost in the 2014 World Cup final and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals. After the 2016 Copa América loss to Chile, Messi briefly announced his retirement from the Argentina national team before eventually returning.
It all changed in 2021 when Messi led Argentina to its first major senior men’s international trophy since 1993 by winning the Copa América. One year later, he helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, scoring twice in the final against France. Argentina then successfully defended its Copa America title in 2024.
At the end of Messi’s retirement statement, he addressed the fans, “I go with the satisfaction and the pride of having, along with my teammates, giving you moments we dreamed about. I love you! I thank God for making me Argentinian.”
While his international career has ended, he has not announced a date for his complete retirement from professional football. For now, Messi’s career continues with Inter Miami as his contract runs through 2028, giving him more time to add to a career of accolades.
