Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest careers in Argentina’s history.
The 39-year-old announced after years of unforgettable moments with the national team, including leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022. Messi leaves international football as the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having recorded 125 goals in 207 appearances
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In an emotional message shared on Instagram, the Argentine icon explained that the decision was far from easy but had become increasingly clear to him after reflecting on his journey with the national team.
Messi’s relationship with Argentina has been filled with both incredible highs and difficult moments. After suffering heartbreak in major finals earlier in his career, he eventually delivered the trophies that had long eluded him, winning the Copa América and later lifting the World Cup.
Now, with another chapter approaching its end, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner believes the time has come to step aside and allow a new generation to take over. He also acknowledged the emergence of younger Argentine players who are ready to carry the national team forward.
Despite walking away from international football, Messi made it clear that his connection with Argentina will remain. He expressed gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches and officials who shared the journey with him, while also thanking the supporters who stood by him throughout the highs and lows.
His decision marks the end of an extraordinary international career that spanned more than two decades. From his early days as a teenage sensation to becoming Argentina’s captain and World Cup-winning leader, Messi leaves behind a legacy that will be difficult to match.
For Argentina, the challenge now is moving forward without the player who has been at the heart of its football story for so long. For Messi, it is the beginning of a different relationship with the national team—this time watching from the sidelines and supporting the country he represented for more than 20 years.
The next generation now gets its turn, while Messi’s remarkable international chapter closes with a World Cup trophy, countless records and a legacy that has already become part of Argentine football history.
