Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international soccer at the age of 39, bringing an end to a 21 year career with the national team that included a historic 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph.
Messi announced his decision on Monday through a lengthy message on Instagram, saying the decision was painful but that he understood the time had come to step away from Argentina duty.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deeply but I understand that the time has come,” Messi wrote.
The legendary forward will continue playing club football with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, but will no longer represent Argentina at international level.
A Historic Argentina Career
Messi made his senior debut for Argentina in 2005 at the age of 18, shortly after starring for the country at the FIFA Under 20 World Championship.
His international career initially brought significant disappointment. Argentina lost three consecutive major finals, and Messi briefly retired from international football in 2016 following the team’s defeat to Chile in the Copa América final.
However, he returned to the national team and eventually enjoyed a remarkable period of success.
Messi helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021, followed by the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he was one of the tournament’s outstanding players. Argentina later won another Copa América title in 2024.
He also led Argentina to another World Cup final this year, although the team lost to Spain in extra time in New Jersey.
Argentina’s All-Time Leading Scorer
Messi leaves the national team as Argentina’s all time leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 appearances.
He scored 21 goals in World Cup matches and played in a record-tying six World Cup tournaments.
Only Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals in men’s international football, with 146 goals.
Messi’s achievements have placed him alongside Argentine icon Diego Maradona and Brazil legend Pelé in discussions about the greatest footballers in history.
The forward has also won the world player of the year award a record eight times.
Messi Wrote His Retirement Letter After World Cup Final
Messi revealed that he had actually written his retirement letter on July 21, just two days after the World Cup final.
However, he delayed publishing it because his father, Jorge Messi, was experiencing serious health problems.
Jorge Messi died on August 8 in Rosario, Argentina.
In his farewell message, Messi expressed gratitude to Argentine supporters for their love throughout his international career.
“Thank you for all the love these past 20 years,” he wrote. “I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I’m going to be one of you, cheering and supporting you from the outside.”
Messi’s Second International Retirement
This is the second time Messi has announced his retirement from Argentina duty.
In 2016, he stepped away from the national team after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile on penalties, with Messi missing one of Argentina’s attempts.
A major public campaign, including calls from football legend Diego Maradona and Argentina’s leadership, encouraged him to return.
His comeback eventually led to the most successful period of his international career.
Tributes Pour In
Messi’s announcement triggered emotional reactions from football figures, teammates and Argentine officials.
Argentina President Javier Milei thanked the star, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Messi for an extraordinary international career that inspired millions and transformed the sport.
The Argentine Football Association also paid tribute to the captain, thanking him for representing the country and helping turn generations of dreams into reality.
Argentina teammates Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes and Cristian Romero also shared emotional messages celebrating Messi’s leadership, character and influence.
Despite his international retirement, Messi has given no indication that he intends to end his club career soon.
The 39 year old remains a key player for Inter Miami and recently scored four goals in a 7-1 victory over CF Montréal.
For Argentina, however, one of football’s greatest international chapters has now come to an end.
