Lionel Messi Announces Retirement From International Football

The Argentinian football icon ends a two-decade international career as his country’s all-time leading scorer, and with a 2022 World Cup title

Messi at the biggest moment of his career. (Photo: Gettyimages)

Football icon Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team and international football at age 39, bringing an end to nearly two decades representing his country at the highest level.

“After this time that has passed since the final, giving it a lot of thought, I want to tell you all that I am retiring from the national team,” Messi shared in a statement on social media on Monday, August 31.

Messi represented Argentina at six FIFA World Cups, reaching the pinnacle of international football when he led his country to the title in Qatar in 2022. Four years later, he guided Argentina to another World Cup final in 2026, where they fell to Spain.

Reflecting on the emotional decision to step away from international football, Messi admitted that saying goodbye to the national team was far from easy. “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deeply, but I understand that the time has come,” Messi wrote on his official Instagram account. “I swear to you that I always gave it my all - not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”

Messi closes his international career as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer. Earlier this year, the Argentine Football Association credited him with reaching 120 international goals in 200 appearances. His decorated run included captaining Argentina to the 2022 World Cup crown and helping the team retain the Copa América, before making one final run to the World Cup final in 2026.

Messi leaves as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer. Earlier this year, the Argentine Football Association credited him with reaching 120 international goals in 200 appearances. His decorated international career included captaining Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and helping the team retain the Copa América, before making one final run to the World Cup final in 2026.

The retirement comes during an emotional period for Messi, who recently lost his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away at age 68.