The 39-year-old made the announcement Monday in a post on Instagram, saying he had decided to step away from the national team shortly after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Messi said he wrote his announcement on July 21, two days after the final, but delayed making it public following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8 at the age of 68.
“I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team,” Messi wrote, describing the decision as painful but saying he believed it was the right time to end the chapter.
The Argentina captain also pointed to the emergence of younger players who deserve opportunities with the national team. He thanked his family, coaches, teammates and fans for their support throughout his two decades with Argentina.
Messi leaves the national team as its all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 124 goals in 203 appearances, according to the Argentine Football Association. He also holds the record for most World Cup appearances by an Argentine player and has scored 21 goals in six editions of the tournament.
His international career included Argentina’s 2021 Copa América triumph, the 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar and another Copa América title in 2024. He also led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, where the team lost to Spain.
Messi had previously announced his international retirement in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile, but reversed his decision and went on to achieve the biggest successes of his career with the national team.
The Argentine Football Association paid tribute to its captain following the announcement, thanking him for what it called an unforgettable journey and praising his legacy and professionalism.
Barcelona, where Messi spent most of his club career, also sent a message to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, saying his country and the club were proud of the legacy he leaves behind.
Messi will not retire from professional football altogether. He is expected to continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, with his current contract running through the 2028 season.
