Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football.
In an Instagram post on Monday, the 39-year-old said he is stepping aside from the country’s national team because there is “nothing more to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up behind me who deserve to be there”.
Messi said he penned the retirement note two days after the 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain, adding that his father’s death earlier this month convinced him further that it was the right decision.
“I swear that I always gave my all, not just in the last few years when we won everything, but before as well. I always fought and gave everything for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentinian through football,” the retirement post reads.
“There’s not much time left, and chapters are closing, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I loved, loved, and will always love being on the national team.
“Thank you for all the love and support over these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I’m going to be just one of you, cheering and supporting you from the sidelines (in good times and bad, even more so).”
This is the second time Messi will retire from the Argentinian national team. He first exited in 2016, two years after losing the 2014 World Cup final to Germany. But he soon returned. In Qatar 2022, he led the team to the World Cup title.
Messi made his senior debut for Argentina at age 18 in 2005. He won the 2021 and 2024 Copa America with the team before crowning his achievement with the global conquest in Qatar.