Lionel Messi Retires From Argentina After 21 Years

Lionel Messi has retired from international football at the age of 39, ending a 21-year career with Argentina.

Messi announced his decision on Monday, just weeks after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time in the 2026 World Cup final. The defeat denied him the chance to end his international career with another World Cup title.

🚨🇦🇷 BREAKING NEWS: LIONEL MESSI RETIRES FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL.

Messi will not play for Argentina national team anymore. pic.twitter.com/KaiZ5Pwrw9

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2026

Messi leaves Argentina as the country’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer. He made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for the national team.

The 2026 World Cup final against Spain was Messi’s last appearance for Argentina. He had helped the team reach a second straight World Cup final after leading them to the title in Qatar in 2022.

In his message announcing the decision, Messi said leaving the national team was painful but that he believed it was the right time to step away. The death of his father, Jorge Messi, earlier in August also reinforced his decision to step away.

“I have nothing left to give,” Messi said in his farewell statement.

A career filled with major trophies

Messi made his international debut in 2005. His relationship with Argentina was not always easy.

For years, he was criticised for failing to win a major senior trophy with the national team. Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and then suffered back-to-back Copa América final defeats against Chile in 2015 and 2016.

After the 2016 Copa América final, Messi briefly retired from international football before returning.

His return changed the story. He won the Copa América in 2021, followed by the 2022 Finalissima and the World Cup in Qatar. He then helped Argentina win another Copa América title in 2024.

The World Cup was the biggest moment of his international career. Messi scored seven goals in the tournament and won the Golden Ball as Argentina beat France on penalties in the final.

Messi finished his World Cup career with 34 appearances across six tournaments. He became the tournament’s record appearance holder and finished with 21 World Cup goals. He also became one of the few players to start three World Cup finals, appearing in 2014, 2022 and 2026.

Argentina now faces life without Messi

Messi’s retirement leaves Argentina without the player who has led the team for much of its most successful period.

The national team has won the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup during the final years of Messi’s career. He also leaves with more appearances and goals for Argentina than any other player.

His departure also comes as the team begins to look towards its next generation. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni will now have to build a team without its captain and most important attacking player.

Messi will continue playing club football. He remains under contract with Inter Miami, meaning his retirement applies only to Argentina.

After 21 years, 207 appearances, 125 goals and a World Cup title, one of the biggest careers in international football has come to an end.