Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39, ending a record-breaking Argentina career spanning more than two decades.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves as his country’s most-capped player and leading scorer, with 125 goals from 207 appearances, having captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles.
Messi said the decision “hurts” but that the time had come after giving everything he could to the national team, while pointing to a new generation of players ready to take their opportunity. He revealed he had written his retirement message on July 21, two days after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, and said the recent death of his father, Jorge, had reinforced his decision.
Messi’s international journey began with a red card less than a minute into his 2005 debut against Hungary and ultimately developed into one of football’s most decorated careers. He finishes with 21 World Cup goals, one behind Kylian Mbappé, and ranks second on the all-time men’s international scoring list behind Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi will continue playing club football for Inter Miami, where he is contracted through the end of 2028.
