Lionel Messi Retires From Argentina Duty After 2026 World Cup Final Defeat
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Jeff Onuegbu
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his more than two-decade career with the Argentina national team.
The 39-year-old Argentina captain confirmed his decision on Monday, August 31, 2026, weeks after leading the country to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where Argentina lost 1–0 to Spain after extra time in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Messi said the decision was painful but acknowledged that he had reached the point where stepping away from the national team was the right choice.
“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come,” Messi said in a message posted on Instagram.
The Argentine forward said he had always given everything for the national team, including during periods when success proved difficult to achieve.
He also said he had reached the end of what he could contribute and believed the emergence of younger players made it appropriate for him to make way for the next generation.
Messi's international career began in 2005, when he made his senior debut for Argentina at the age of 18. Over the following 21 years, he became the country's most-capped player and leading goalscorer, finishing with 207 appearances and 125 goals.
His relationship with the Argentina national team was not always straightforward. Early in his career, Messi faced intense criticism after Argentina suffered defeats in major finals, including the 2014 World Cup final against Germany and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals.
He briefly announced his international retirement in 2016 following the Copa América Centenario final defeat to Chile, but later returned to the national team.
That comeback ultimately produced the most successful period of his international career.
Messi helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa América, defeating Brazil in the final, before leading the country to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022. Argentina defeated France on penalties in the final, giving Messi the World Cup title that had eluded him for much of his career.
He subsequently added another major international honour when Argentina won the 2024 Copa América.
At the 2026 World Cup, Messi captained Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final. Although Spain eventually claimed the title with a 1–0 victory, Messi finished the tournament with eight goals and further strengthened his place among the competition's all-time leading scorers.
Messi revealed that he had already written his retirement message two days after Argentina's defeat to Spain but waited before making the announcement public. The recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, also reinforced his decision to step away.
In his farewell message, Messi thanked Argentina's supporters for their love throughout his international career and reflected on the years spent representing the country.
He said he would continue following Argentina, but from outside the national team setup, supporting the players in both successful and difficult moments.
Messi leaves international football as a World Cup winner, two-time Copa América champion, record Argentina appearance-maker and record goalscorer. His departure marks the end of one of the most influential eras in Argentine football.
Although he has retired from international football, Messi's club career continues. He remains contracted to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami through the end of the 2028 season.
Lionel Messi, born June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, made his senior international debut in 2005. He became Argentina's record appearance-maker and goalscorer, winning the 2021 Copa América, 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2024 Copa América. He also won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards and is widely regarded as one of football's greatest players.
