Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
In a shocking development, former Barcelona captain and club legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his career with the Argentina national team.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner announced his decision with a post on his social media, following La Albiceleste’s second-place finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup earlier in the summer.
Messi says goodbye
In a long message, Messi explained in detail as to why he has decided to hang up his boots from international football.
“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team. It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment,” he started.
Stressing that he always gave his all for the Albiceleste colours throughout his career, the Barcelona icon wrote:
“I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too.
“I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
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A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)
Delving into his reasons for bringing an end to his career with the national team, Messi explained:
“There isn’t much time left, and different chapters are coming to an end. This is one that hurts me a lot. I love, I loved, and I will always love being part of the national team. I gave everything I had, and I don’t have anything more to give.”
“Also, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here.”
Expressing gratitude
In the final part of his message, Messi expressed his gratitude to everyone who had been part of his journey with the national team.
“Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones.”
“Thank you to my family for always being there and for being with me throughout this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every coach, teammate and director I had the chance to share it with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.
“I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of. It was crazy to experience all of this with you. I love you!”
“Thank you God for making me Argentine… Vamos Argentina! I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced of this decision than before,” he concluded.
A glittering career comes to an end
Lionel Messi of Argentina
The highlight of Messi’s Argentina career. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
For a good part of his international career, Messi drew a lot of criticism from fans due to Argentina’s failure in the biggest tournaments.
In fact, after losing three finals in three years between 2014 and 2016, the Argentine even announced his retirement that year, but a nation-wide campaign convinced him to return to the national team again.
Under Lionel Scaloni, things changed for the better, as the Albiceleste ended their 28-year-old trophy drought by winning the Copa America in 2021.
A year later, Messi achieved his biggest dream, as he led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, before going on to lift the Copa America again in 2024.
He steps down after making 207 appearances for Argentina, in which he scored 125 goals.
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