Messi retires from Argentina duty after 20-year international career

Abdullateef Fowewe

Football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a historic 20-year career with Argentina’s senior national team.

The Argentina captain confirmed the decision in an Instagram post on Monday, saying he had reflected deeply since the World Cup final and believed it was time to step aside for the next generation.

“After this time that has passed since the final, thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I am retiring from the National Team.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul, but I understand that this is the moment,” Messi had written.

Messi said he had given everything in the Argentina shirt, both during the country’s trophy-winning era and in the difficult years that came before it.

“I swear to you that I always gave everything—not only in the recent years when we won it all, but before that as well.

“I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to give you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football, he added.

The 39-year-old added that emerging players deserved the opportunity to lead Argentina into a new era.

“I emptied myself; I have nothing more to give, and besides, some outstanding young players are coming up behind who deserve their chance,” Messi said.

He also thanked Argentina supporters, his family, former coaches, teammates and officials, describing his time with the national team as “beautiful but difficult.”

“Thank you for all the affection over these 20 years. I will miss hearing you from inside so much.

“Now I will be one of you, always cheering and supporting from the outside,” he wrote.

Messi leaves as Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals.

He captained the country through its most successful modern spell, ending a 28-year wait for a major senior trophy when Argentina won the 2021 Copa América.

Under his leadership, Argentina went on to win the 2022 Finalissima against Italy and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, before adding another Copa América title in 2024.

He also led the team to World Cup runners-up finishes in 2014 and 2026.

His international career included six World Cup appearances from Germany 2006 to the 2026 tournament as well as a record 34 World Cup matches and 21 goals. Messi won the World Cup Golden Ball in 2014 and 2022.

Reflecting on his departure, Messi said he was proud of the memories and achievements created alongside his teammates and Argentina fans.

“I leave with the peace and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, dream moments.

“It was crazy to have lived it with you. I love you,” he wrote.

He ended the message with a tribute to his country, “Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. ¡Vamos Argentina!”