QArgentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable careers in the history of the game.
The 39-year-old made the announcement on Monday in a lengthy statement posted on his Instagram account, saying he had reached the point where he could no longer continue representing the national team.
Messi said the decision was painful but insisted that he believed the time had come to step aside after two decades of service to Argentina.
“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment,” the football superstar stated.
The announcement came less than two months after Messi led Argentina to the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain.
It was a disappointing end to a tournament for Messi, who had previously guided Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 after defeating France on penalties in the final in Qatar.
Reflecting on his international career, Messi said he had always given his best for the national team and was proud of the achievements he recorded with his teammates.
“I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football,” he said, adding that a new generation of players deserved the opportunity to represent the country.
Messi also thanked his family, coaches, teammates and officials who contributed to his journey with Argentina, saying he would continue to support the national team from outside the pitch.
His decision comes shortly after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August. Before his latest announcement, the Argentina star had admitted that the loss had left him uncertain about how much longer he would continue playing football.
Messi’s retirement closes a hugely successful international chapter that included the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, alongside numerous individual records.
Despite ending his international career, Messi remains contracted to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, with his deal reportedly running through the end of the 2028 season.