Argentina captain Lionel Messi has retired from international soccer.
The 39-year-old shared the news on Monday, more than a month after he made his final appearance for his country in the World Cup final.
“After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the Argentina national team…” Messi said in an Instagram post.
“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come.
“I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
Messi shared in a footnote that “*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”
Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, died earlier this month at a hospital in the central Argentina city of Rosario. He was 68.
Messi is Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer and most capped player, scoring 125 goals across 207 matches with the senior national team. He led the country to its third ever World Cup title in 2022, which culminated with a thrilling shootout victory over France in Qatar.
Messi had previously announced his retirement from international play in 2016 following three straight defeats in finals between Copa América (2012 and 2016) and the World Cup (2014). He reversed course shortly after and led Argentina to Copa América triumphs in 2021 and 2024.
Lionel Messi’s latest World Cup run ended without another title, but at 39, after six tournaments, more than 200 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina, he had nothing left to prove.
This year’s World Cup was the sixth of Messi’s storied career. Messi and Argentina pulled off several miraculous comebacks en route to the 2026 final against Spain, but they ultimately lost 1-0 in extra time.
“There’s not much time left and chapters are coming to a close; this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved and will always love being part of the national team,” Messi wrote in his post. “I’ve given my all; I’ve nothing left to give, and besides, there are some brilliant young players coming through who deserve their place.”
The two-time World Cup Golden Ball winner is second in all-time World Cup goals with 21, trailing only Kylian Mbappé of France (22). His six World Cup appearances are also tied with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most of any player in history.
Messi will be 41 during Argentina’s next major tournament, the 2028 Copa América. He will turn 43 during the 2030 World Cup, which will have one match in Argentina but will be primarily hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, moments we could only have dreamed of,” Messi wrote. “It was incredible to have experienced it all with you. I love you all!
“Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.
“Come on, Argentina!”
Messi did not address his club future in the Instagram post. The Inter Miami star has been playing in Major League Soccer since 2023 and scored four goals in his last match with the club on Saturday. He is still under contract for two more years.
Lionel Messi has scored eight goals and added two assists at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite spending nearly two-thirds of his time on the field walking.
