Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a storied 21-year career with the Argentina national team. The 39-year-old Inter Miami star shared the news on Instagram on Monday, revealing that the decision came after deep reflection following Argentina’s heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final.
A Painful Decision
In his emotional post, Messi wrote: “Some time has passed since the final, and after much thought, I want to announce to everyone that I am retiring from the national team. It is a decision that still hurts deep in my soul, but I realize this is the right time.” He added, “I swear I always gave my all, not only in recent years when we won everything, but also before that. I always fought and gave everything I had for this shirt.”
The message, which garnered over 4 million likes within two hours of being posted, was written on July 21—two days after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium near New York. Messi also noted that the subsequent death of his father and agent, Jorge Messi, reinforced his conviction to close this chapter.
A Legacy of Greatness
Messi leaves an indelible mark on the sport. He made his international debut in 2005 and went on to become Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances. He led his country to World Cup glory in 2022, defeating France on penalties in the final in Doha, and also lifted the Copa America trophy twice during his career.
His departure leaves a significant void in the football world, which had grown accustomed to the achievements of the Argentine captain. It also leaves his historic rival, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, without his traditional on-field competitor. Ronaldo admitted in August that he too is considering retirement soon.
The Final World Cup Campaign
In this year’s tournament, Messi inspired Argentina to another final appearance, scoring eight goals and providing two assists, including a standout contribution in the dramatic comeback against England in the semifinal. However, the dream of lifting the trophy once more was dashed in the final, as Argentina fell to Spain in a match marred by chaotic scenes. Photographs captured Messi in tears after receiving his runner-up medal.
In his statement, Messi said the time has come for a new generation of Argentine players to take the reins. He wrote: “I loved, I love, and I will always love being with the national team. I gave everything I had, and I have nothing left to give. Besides, there are very talented young players coming up behind me who deserve to be here.”
Tributes from Teammates and Officials
Fellow national team and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul paid tribute, saying: “Thank you, the greatest in history. Thank you for giving us so much happiness. You can’t imagine how many smiles you’ve drawn. You are immortal.”
Ángel Di María, who played alongside Messi for both Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain, wrote: “We will be grateful to you for the rest of our lives because you are Argentine, and because you lifted Argentina to the top of the world. Thank you, captain, thank you for everything. The best in history.”
The Argentine Football Association and the South American Football Confederation also paid homage, posting tributes to “immortal Messi” on X.
Moving Forward
Messi will continue playing at the club level with Inter Miami in the United States, where his contract runs through the end of the 2028 season. This is not the first time he has announced international retirement; he briefly stepped away after the 2016 Copa America final loss before reversing his decision and returning for the 2018 World Cup, eventually achieving glory four years later in Qatar.
In recent months, alongside the World Cup final loss to Spain on July 19, Messi was deeply affected by the death of his father, Jorge, at the age of 68. In mid-August, he had stated that he no longer saw himself able to continue playing “for much longer,” saying: “I don’t know what I’ll do without you, and I don’t know how to go on. I’ve only played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer.”
Messi concluded his farewell message with a heartfelt note: “I leave feeling at peace and proud because I gave you, along with my teammates, dreamlike moments. It was incredible to live all that with you. I love you. Thank God for making me Argentine.”
