Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, ending a two-decade international career that included the 2022 World Cup title and multiple major trophies.
The 39-year-old captain posted an emotional statement on Instagram on Monday, saying he had decided the time had come after careful reflection following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
“After this time that has passed since the final, thinking it over a lot, I want to tell everyone that I am retiring from the national team,” Messi wrote. “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts in the soul, but I understand that this is the moment.”
He stressed that he had always given everything for the shirt. “I swear that I always left everything, not only in the last years when we won everything but before as well, and I always fought and gave my all for this jersey, to give you joy and make you feel proud of being Argentine through football.”
Messi said stages of his career were closing and that he felt emptied. “I love, loved and will always love being in the national team. I emptied myself, I have nothing more to give, and besides there are some very big young players coming up who deserve to be there.”
He thanked supporters for 20 years of affection and said he would now cheer from the stands “in the good times and the bad, even more so.” He also expressed gratitude to his family, coaches, teammates and officials, adding that he left with pride at the dream moments shared with his teammates.
“I leave with the peace and the pride of having given you, together with my teammates, dream moments. It was crazy to have lived it with you. I love you!” he wrote. “Thank you God for making me Argentine. Let’s go Argentina!”
Messi noted that he had written the words on July 21, two days after the final. “Today, after what happened with my dad, I am more convinced than before.”
The announcement closes a chapter that began with his senior debut in 2005 and featured World Cup glory in Qatar, two Copa América titles and the Finalissima.
