Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to one of the most decorated careers in the history of the Argentina national team.
The 39-year-old Argentina captain said the decision was painful but acknowledged that the time had come to step aside after giving everything to the national team.
Messi, who made his Argentina debut in 2005, bows out as the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having recorded 125 goals in 207 appearances.
His international career included the 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar and two Copa América titles. He was also a World Cup finalist in 2014 and this summer.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner announced his decision in an Instagram statement, saying he had “nothing left to give” to the national team.
“It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come,” Messi said. “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 former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward said the end of his international career was particularly emotional for him.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team,” he said.
Messi disclosed that he had written the retirement statement on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, but postponed publishing it. He said the death of his father, Jorge, last month further strengthened his decision.
After his father’s death, Messi had acknowledged that he was having “quite a few doubts” about continuing with Argentina.
Reflecting on his struggles during Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Spain, Messi admitted that his body could no longer cope.
“My legs couldn’t go on any more. This time I tried to push myself beyond my physical limits, but I couldn’t,” he said.
Messi also said the emergence of younger players who deserve opportunities contributed to his decision.
“I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here,” he added.
Messi’s retirement marks the end of an extraordinary international journey that saw him evolve from a highly criticised young star into Argentina’s most successful modern footballer and the central figure in the country’s return to global glory.
