Lionel Messi has retired from international football after 207 Argentina appearances, bringing his extraordinary 20-year career with the national team to an end.
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to more than two decades representing Argentina.
The 39-year-old confirmed the news in a detailed Instagram post, revealing he first penned the message on July 21, just two days after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain.
Messi subsequently held back from publishing it. But following the death of his father, Jorge, earlier this month, the Argentina captain said he had become even more convinced that the time had come to finish his international career. Jorge Messi died in Rosario aged 68 after a long illness.
In his statement, translated from Spanish, Messi wrote: “After this time that has passed since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I am retiring from the national team.”
He admitted the decision "hurt and still hurts in my soul," but insisted this was the right moment to walk away.
Lionel Messi Brings Extraordinary Argentina Career to an End
He departs as Argentina’s all-time leader in both appearances and goals, with 207 caps and 125 goals to his name.
His Argentina story started back in August 2005 against Hungary. For years, the biggest prizes seemed just out of reach, but eventually, Messi delivered the silverware that had long eluded him.
He captained Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021, lifted the Finalissima against Italy a year later, and finally completed his set with the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Argentina defended their Copa America crown in 2024, before making it back to the World Cup final this summer.
His final Argentina appearance came in that final against Spain. Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute, sealing a 1-0 defeat for the defending champions in New York. It was Messi’s 34th World Cup appearance, a record that now stands alone.inal match of an international career in which Messi's relationship with Argentina changed substantially.
For years, frustration and heartbreak in finals defined his time with the national team. Then came the golden run, capped by World Cup glory in 2022. Four years on, at 39, Messi returned to help Lionel Scaloni’s side reach yet another final, chipping in with eight goals and four assists during the 2026 tournament.
Messi: 'I Have Nothing More to Give'
Messi made it clear in his statement just how much pulling on the Argentina shirt had meant to him.
“I swear that I always gave everything, not only in the last few years when we won everything, but before that as well,” he wrote.
“There is not much left and stages are coming to an end, and this is one that hurts me a lot. I love, loved and will always love being with the national team.
“I emptied myself, I have nothing more to give and there are also great young players coming through behind who deserve to be there.”
He thanked Argentina’s fans for their support over two decades, along with his family, coaches, teammates and everyone who had been part of the journey.
Messi’s club career continues at Inter Miami, with this announcement affecting only his international status. He returned to Major League Soccer after the World Cup and wasted no time, scoring four in Inter Miami’s 7-1 win over CF Montreal on Saturday.
But his days with Argentina are now over.
“Now I am going to be one more of you,” Messi wrote, “cheering and supporting always from the outside.”
