Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team at the age of 39.
The announcement came on Monday, August 31, 2026, through a handwritten note shared on his Instagram account. Messi revealed that he had originally written the farewell message on July 21, two days after Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, but chose to share it publicly now, following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8.
In his statement, Messi admitted the decision was painful: “After the final, after much thought, I want to tell you all that I’m retiring from the national team. It was a decision that hurt my soul and still hurts, but I understand that this is the moment.”
Messi expressed gratitude to fans, teammates, and coaches, saying he had always given everything for the Argentina jersey: “I swear I’ve always fought and given everything for this jersey, to bring joy and pride to Argentinians through football.” He added that younger players now deserve the chance to carry the team forward.
Career Highlights
- Debut: 2005 for Argentina
- World Cups: Played in six editions (2006–2026)
- World Cup Champion: 2022 (Qatar)
- World Cup Finalist: 2014 (lost to Germany), 2026 (lost to Spain)
- Copa América Titles: 2021, 2024
- Record: Argentina’s all-time top scorer with 125 goals in 207 matches
- Ballon d’Or: 8-time winner
- Legacy: Transformed Argentina’s fortunes, ending years of heartbreak with major international triumphs.
What’s Next
Messi will continue playing club football with Inter Miami, where his contract runs until 2028. His departure from international duty marks the end of an era for Argentina, leaving the team to rebuild around stars such as Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
