Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39, bringing an end to an illustrious Argentina career after the team reached the World Cup final for a second consecutive tournament.
The Argentina captain revealed his decision in an Instagram post, acknowledging that walking away was emotionally difficult but saying he believed the time had come to make the move.
Messi said he had consistently given his maximum effort for the national team throughout his career, stressing that his commitment extended well beyond the period in which Argentina enjoyed its most successful run.
With 207 appearances and 125 goals, Messi leaves as Argentina’s most-capped player and leading scorer. His international career, which began in 2005, evolved from years of frustration and criticism into one of the most celebrated success stories in the country’s football history.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient endured several painful setbacks, including Argentina’s defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and losses in back-to-back Copa America finals. However, he eventually ended the wait for a major international title by helping Argentina win the 2021 Copa America.
He then captained the team to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, before adding another Copa America championship in 2024.
Messi entered what was his sixth World Cup seeking a final triumph with Argentina. However, the team’s 1-0 defeat to Spain denied him the opportunity to finish his international career with another World Cup title.
Despite the disappointment, Messi departs with his status among football’s greatest players firmly established. He also carved out his own place in Argentina’s football history, moving beyond comparisons with the legendary Diego Maradona, who captained the country to World Cup glory in 1986.
In his farewell message, Messi reflected on the achievements he shared with his teammates and said he was leaving the national team with a sense of pride and satisfaction over the memories they had created together.
