Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable career with Argentina that included World Cup glory and two Copa America titles.
The 39-year-old Argentina captain said the decision was painful but insisted “the time has come” to allow a new generation of players to take their opportunity.
Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s record scorer and most-capped player, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances.
“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” Messi said.
“I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team.
“I’ve given it my all, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some really great young players coming through behind me who deserve their chance.”
Messi revealed that he wrote his retirement message on 21 July, two days after Argentina suffered defeat against Spain in this summer’s World Cup final.
His decision also comes during a difficult period in his personal life. Earlier in August, Messi said he was considering his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge, aged 68 after a long illness.
“Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced than before,” Messi wrote on Instagram on Monday.
Messi’s Argentina journey began in 2005 in dramatic circumstances. He came on as a 63rd-minute substitute during a 2-1 friendly victory over Hungary but was sent off less than a minute later after his elbow connected with defender Vilmos Vanczak.
That difficult introduction proved no indication of what was to follow.
Messi developed into one of Argentina’s greatest players and eventually achieved the international success that had eluded him for much of his career. The defining moment came in Qatar in 2022, when he captained his country to the World Cup title. He also helped Argentina win two Copa America trophies.
His 21 World Cup goals leave him second on the competition’s all-time scoring list, one behind France forward Kylian Mbappe. Messi also finishes second among international football’s leading scorers with 125 goals, behind Portugal rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 146.
While his Argentina career is over, Messi will continue playing club football. He remains contracted to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami until the end of the 2028 season.
