The 39-year-old confirmed the decision on Monday in an emotional Instagram post, stating that the time had come after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
“After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team,” Messi wrote. “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts – deep in my soul, but I understand that the time has come.”
Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, ends his international career as the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player with 125 goals in 207 appearances. He also lifted the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and the Finalissima in 2022.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner revealed that he had written the retirement message on 21 July, two days after the World Cup final loss in New York. The recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, aged 68 on 8 August, reinforced his decision.
“Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced than before,” Messi added. “I’ve given everything I had, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”
Messi’s final appearance for Argentina came in the World Cup final against Spain, where he became only the third player in history to feature in three men’s World Cup finals. His international journey began with a debut in 2005 and included six World Cup campaigns.
While his time with the Albiceleste is over, Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. He remains under contract with the club until 2028 and scored four goals in a 7-1 victory over CF Montreal just two days before the retirement announcement.
The decision marks the close of one of the most decorated international careers in football history. Messi leaves the national team having delivered Argentina’s third World Cup title and ending a long wait for major silverware that had defined much of his earlier years with the side.
Tributes are expected to pour in from across the football world as the sport reflects on the contribution of a player widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time.