Lionel Messi retirement from international football closes a 21-year Argentina career that delivered the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles. The 39-year-old leaves as Argentina’s record scorer and appearance-maker but will continue his club career with Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, ending a 21-year senior career with Argentina. The 39-year-old confirmed the decision on Monday, August 31, 2026, after reflection following Argentina's defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup final.
Messi confirms end of his Argentina career
Messi said the decision was painful but that he believed the time had come to step away. In his retirement message, he reflected on giving everything he had to the national team and acknowledged the young players ready to take greater responsibility.
The Argentine Football Association paid tribute to its longtime captain, thanking him for a journey that transformed Argentina's fortunes and saying his legacy and professionalism would remain part of the national team's history.
A record-breaking international career
Beyond his international success, Lionel Messi’s career achievements include record-breaking spells with Barcelona, eight Ballon d’Or awards and major trophies across Europe and the United States.
Messi leaves Argentina as the country's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals. He made his senior Argentina debut in August 2005 and went on to appear at six FIFA World Cups.
His international career included years of near-misses before an extraordinary run of success. Argentina won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and another Copa America in 2024. Messi also led Argentina to World Cup finals in 2014 and 2026.
2026 World Cup final becomes his farewell
Messi's final international tournament was the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. He finished with eight goals and four assists as Argentina advanced to a second consecutive final.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute.
The loss prevented Argentina from retaining its world title but closed an international career that had already delivered the country's first World Cup championship since 1986.
Messi is not retiring from club football
Messi's announcement applies only to international football. His professional club career continues with Major League Soccer's Inter Miami.
Inter Miami previously signed Messi to an extension through the end of the 2028 MLS season, meaning the Argentina farewell does not represent his retirement from the sport itself.
Argentina now enters its first post-Messi era after more than two decades with its record scorer, record appearance-maker and longtime captain at the center of the national team.
