Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on Monday, closing the book on a nearly two-decade international career that included a long-awaited World Cup title in 2022 and ended in heartbreak with defeat in this year's final.
A Farewell Written Weeks Ago
Messi revealed that the message he shared on Instagram was actually written on July 21, two days after Argentina's extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, but said the death of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, in early August had made him even more certain of the decision.
Numbers That Tell A Story
He retires with 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo on the all-time men's international scoring list, and becomes just the second player in history, after Brazil's Cafu, to appear in three World Cup finals.
From Frustration To Redemption
Messi's international career followed one of football's great narrative arcs — years of criticism for failing to deliver a major trophy with Argentina, including a defeat in the 2014 World Cup final, before a breakthrough at the 2021 Copa America opened the door to the long-sought 2022 World Cup title and a second Copa America crown in 2024.
One Final Shot At Glory
This year's tournament brought Messi and Argentina back to the final, where they lost 1-0 in extra time to Spain, denying him the storybook send-off many had hoped for even as he still finished with eight goals, second only to France's Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.
Tributes Pour In
Teammates were quick to react. Inter Miami and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul praised Messi's leadership and humanity with every player who came through the national team, calling him "immortal," while Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez said it was a moment no one is ever truly prepared for.
Messi will continue playing club football for Inter Miami, where his contract runs through 2028, closing only the international chapter of a career that reshaped the sport. Argentina's football federation has previously said it plans to retire his No. 10 shirt for good now that he has stepped away.