Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football barely one month after his country’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi, who captained Argentina in his sixth World Cup campaign, confirmed the decision on Monday, ending one of the most remarkable international careers in football history.
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The Inter Miami forward said the decision was painful but acknowledged that the time had come to step away from the national team.
Messi wrote, in an official statement posted on his Instagram account: “After all this time since the final match, and after long reflection, I want to announce to everyone that I have decided to retire from playing with the national team.”
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He added: “It was a painful decision, and it still hurts me deep down, but I realise that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave everything I had, not only during the recent years in which we achieved everything, but before that too, and I always fought and gave all I have for this shirt, to make you happy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
The decision comes after Messi’s latest World Cup appearance ended in disappointment, with Argentina losing the final to Spain.
The tournament was his sixth World Cup appearance and marked another milestone in an international career that has included two World Cup final appearances.
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Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, four years after his side finished as runners-up to Germany at the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
He continued: “There is not much left, and the stages have begun to reach their end, and this is one of them that hurts me greatly. I love, I have loved, and I will always love being with the national team. I have exhausted everything I have, and I no longer have any more to give, alongside the presence of a group of wonderful young players who deserve to get their chance.”
Messi’s international career has been defined not only by his individual achievements but also by his eventual success with Argentina after years of disappointment.
He won the Copa América in 2021 before leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title. He also helped his country win the 2024 Copa América, adding to his legacy with the national team.
The Argentine star thanked supporters, saying he would now follow the national team from outside the pitch.
He went on: “Thank you for all this love over 20 years. I will miss hearing your voices from inside the stadium very much, and now I will become one of you, always supporting and backing the national team from the outside, in good times and bad, and especially in the difficult times.”
Messi also acknowledged the support of his family, coaches, teammates and officials throughout his career.
The 39-year-old added: “Thank you to my family for always being by my side, and for accompanying me on this very beautiful journey, despite its difficulty. Thank you to every coach, teammate and official I had the chance to share this journey with. I will carry with me unforgettable memories and moments that I lived throughout this period.”
He concluded his statement with an emotional message to Argentina and its supporters.
READ ALSO: ‘The pain is so great’: Messi breaks silence after World Cup Final heartbreak
“I leave feeling at ease and proud because, together with my teammates, I gave you moments we had always dreamed of. It was madness to live all of that with you. I love you! Thank God for making me Argentine. Long live Argentina!”
Messi then added a note beneath the statement: “I wrote these words on 21 July, two days after the final match. And today, after what happened to my father, I am more convinced of the decision than ever.”
The announcement comes weeks after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who died aged 68 on 8 August.
Earlier in August, Messi had spoken about doubts over continuing his playing career “for much longer” following his father’s death.
With his international retirement, Messi leaves behind a record that includes Argentina’s most significant successes of the modern era and a career that has made him one of the most decorated players in football history.
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