Lionel Messi announces his retirement from international football

Monday 31 August 2026 - 15:34

By: Azzat Manal

Lionel Messi announces his retirement from international football

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an extraordinary chapter of his career with the national team to an end.

The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward revealed his decision in a lengthy statement shared through his official social media accounts. Messi said that, after reflecting deeply on his career and the events surrounding the 2026 World Cup final, he had concluded that the time had come to step away from international competition.

Messi described the decision as painful, emphasizing that representing Argentina had always been one of the greatest sources of pride in his career. He said he had consistently given everything for the national team and had fought to bring joy to supporters while making them proud of their country.

The Argentine star also acknowledged that his international career was reaching its final pages. While expressing his enduring love for the national team, Messi said he believed the time was right to make room for a new generation of players who deserve the opportunity to establish themselves with the national side.

He thanked Argentina’s supporters for their affection and encouragement throughout two decades with the national team, saying that he would now follow the team from outside the pitch and continue to support it regardless of the circumstances.

Messi also paid tribute to his family, coaches, teammates and officials who accompanied him throughout his international journey. He recalled the many unforgettable moments and challenges that shaped his career with Argentina.

In the most personal part of his message, Messi referred to his father, saying that he had written the original statement shortly after the 2026 World Cup final but had become even more convinced of his decision following what happened to his father.

Messi leaves international football after a remarkable period of success with Argentina. He won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 and lifted the FIFA World Cup in 2022, ending a long wait for a major international trophy with the national team.

Argentina also reached the 2026 World Cup final, where the team lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time on July 19. The defeat came at the end of another memorable tournament for Messi, who had already experienced several difficult moments in previous international finals.

Before his major successes with Argentina, Messi suffered three consecutive final defeats: the 2014 World Cup final against Germany and the Copa América finals of 2015 and 2016. The pressure surrounding those setbacks led him to announce his international retirement in 2016, although he later reversed the decision and returned to represent his country.

His second chapter with Argentina ultimately produced the greatest achievements of his international career, including the World Cup triumph in Qatar and two Copa América titles.

With his retirement, Messi closes one of the most remarkable international careers in football history, leaving behind a legacy defined by extraordinary individual performances, major trophies and a deep connection with Argentine supporters.