BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and the final in 2026, is retiring from international football, he said on Monday.
The record eight-times Ballon d’Or winner is his country’s record appearance-maker and scorer with 125 goals in 207 games, having transformed a complicated relationship with the national team into a story of redemption and triumph.
“It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come. 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,” the 39-year-old Messi wrote on Instagram.
“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you – alongside my teammates – moments we once only dreamed of,” he added.
Defeat in this year’s World Cup final by Spain denied Messi a fairytale farewell, but his place among the game’s greats had long since been secured.
After years of disappointment with Argentina, including defeat in the 2014 World Cup final and successive Copa America finals, Messi won his first major international trophy at the 2021 Copa America before leading his country to glory at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain forward who now plays for Inter Miami added another Copa America title in 2024 and arrived at his sixth World Cup hoping to complete an extraordinary final chapter.
A 1-0 loss to Spain ensured that did not happen but Messi, who made his Argentina debut in 2005, walks away having emerged from the shadow of 1986 World Cup-winning captain Diego Maradona to forge a legacy of his own as another defining figure in his country’s football history.
Lionel Messi reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup football tournament final
(FILES) Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi is silhouetted as he warms up before the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona
Lionel Messi celebrates after his team won the 2026 World Cup football tournament semi-final
Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match
Lionel Messi pose with the FIFA World Cup Trophy
Lionel Messi pose with the FIFA World Cup Trophy
Argentina’s Lionel Messi looks dejected after receiving his runners up medal on the podium after losing the World Cup Final
Argentina’s Lionel Messi kisses the trophy as he celebrates winning the World Cup
Messi holds the trophy after the final football match against Nigeria for the FIFA World Youth Championship in Utrecht, Netherlands
