Argentina captain and football legend Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his remarkable career with the national team.
The 39-year-old confirmed the decision on Monday, August 31, 2026, through an emotional post on Instagram, saying he had spent considerable time reflecting on his future before reaching the decision.
“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team,” Messi wrote on Instagram.
He admitted that walking away was painful, but said he believes the timing is right. “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.”
Messi also reflected on his commitment to Argentina, insisting that he had always given everything for the national team shirt.
“I swear I always gave everything, not only in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”
Messi bows out after a historic international career spanning more than two decades. He leaves Argentina as the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 207 appearances and 125 goals.
His greatest achievement with the national team came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he finally lifted football’s biggest international trophy. He also won the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles and the 2022 Finalissima.
Messi’s final appearance for Argentina came in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain, where Argentina finished runners-up following a 1–0 defeat.
The decision also comes after the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, which reportedly reinforced his decision to bring his international career to a close.
Messi, however, has not retired from football altogether. He remains with Inter Miami and will continue his club career.