Lionel Messi retires from international football after historic Argentina career

Sports

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on a historic career with the national team spanning more than two decades.

The 39-year-old made the announcement on Monday following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a remarkable international career that saw him lead his country to three World Cup finals and lift the trophy in Qatar in 2022.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, said the decision to retire was painful but necessary, adding that he had given everything he could to the Argentina national team and believed the time had come for a new generation of players to take greater responsibility.

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“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team,” Messi said in an emotional statement.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.”

The former FC Barcelona star said time was no longer on his side and that several talented young players were emerging to take Argentina into the future.

Messi thanked Argentine supporters for their unwavering support throughout his international career.

“Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside. Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to his family, coaches, teammates and officials who shared his journey with the national team.

“Thank you to my family for always being there and for being with me throughout this beautiful but difficult journey. Thank you to every coach, teammate and director I had the chance to share it with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.”

Messi said he was leaving the national team with peace and pride, knowing that he and his teammates had given Argentines moments they once only dreamed about.

“I leave with peace and pride, knowing that together with my teammates we gave you moments we once dreamed of. It was crazy to experience all of this with you.

“I love you! Thank you God for making me Argentine.”

Messi leaves the Argentina national team as its all-time leading appearance maker and goalscorer, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances.

His senior international trophy collection includes the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions, popularly known as the Finalissima, in 2022.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi’s final international tournament ended in disappointment as Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time in the 2026 World Cup final.

However, his place in the history of Argentine and world football remains firmly secured after a career that transformed years of international disappointment into one of the greatest stories of triumph in the history of the game.