The moment no Argentina fans ever wanted to see has finally arrived. Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable career that spanned more than two decades. The shocking announcement comes just weeks after Argentina's defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The legendary footballer shared an emotional message on Instagram, revealing that he had made the decision to hang up his national team jersey just two days after the WC final, but chose to make it official only now, after his father's death.
Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football
"After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team. It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deep down, but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always give it my all, not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football," he wrote on Instagram.
He added that chapters come to a close, admitting that the decision hurts him deeply. The footballer further stated that he has always loved, and will always love, being part of Argentina, a team to which he has given everything. He also acknowledged that 'some great young players are coming up who deserve to be here.'
Furthermore, he revealed that he had written the retirement statement on July 21, just two days after Argentina's loss against Spain in the FIFA World Cup in New York's MetLife Stadium. However, he explained that the recent death of his father, Jorge, had made him even more certain about his decision.
"Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before," he wrote. For the uninitiated, Jorge passed away on August 8 at the age of 68. In his emotional tribute to his father, Messi had already hinted at his decision to retire from international football. Days later, the end of an era arrived.
He concluded his note by thanking his family, coaches, teammates, and officials. "Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Let's go, Argentina!"
Lionel Messi made his Argentina debut on August 17, 2005, against Hungary. Since then, he has scored 125 goals for the national team. He has also played in six FIFA World Cups - 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026.
For those unaware, Messi will continue playing for Inter Miami until the end of 2028.
(Feature Image Credits: Lionel Messi Instagram)
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