Buenos Aires: Lionel Messi has announced retirement from football ending an extraordinary 21‑year career with the Argentina national team.
The 39‑year‑old captain confirmed the decision on Monday, saying that Lionel Messi had spent a lot of time reflecting after Argentina’s 2026 World Cup loss before deciding that it was the right moment to step away.
Lionel Messi said the decision was painful. Lionel Messi believed that the time had come to make way for younger players.
“I love I loved, and I will always love being part of the team ” Lionel Messi said in a message posted on Instagram, adding that he had given everything to the Argentina shirt.
World Cup champion
Lionel Messi leaves football after helping Argentina reach two consecutive World Cup finals.
Lionel Messi finally lifted the prize in football in 2022 when Argentina defeated France on penalties in the final in Doha. Four years later, Argentina reached the 2026 final. Lost 1‑0 to Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The latest World Cup campaign proved to be Lionel Messi’s tournament with the national side.
Following his father Jorge’s death in August, Lionel Messi had previously acknowledged having doubts about continuing to play football for much longer.
Record-breaking Argentina career
Lionel Messi made his Argentina senior debut in 2005 and went on to become the country’s most prolific international player.
Lionel Messi finishes his career with 125 goals in 207 appearances, making him Argentina’s all‑time leading scorer and most‑capped player.
Beyond his World Cup triumph, Lionel Messi helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 Finalissima, ending years of disappointment with the team. Lionel Messi also thanked his family, coaches, teammates, directors and Argentina supporters for their support throughout his career.
Lionel Messi said that he would now follow the team from outside the squad, describing himself as “one of you.”
Lionel Messi’s retirement applies only to international football. Lionel Messi remains contracted to Inter Miami with his Major League Soccer deal running through the end of the 2028 season. After, than two decades wearing Argentina’s famous blue and white, one of football’s greatest international careers has now come to an end.