Lionel Messi confirms end of Argentina international career in Instagram statement

Lionel Messi has announced that he is leaving the Argentina national team, ending an international career that saw him captain his country to World Cup success in 2022 and reach the final in 2026.

The 39-year-old confirmed his decision in a post on Instagram on Monday, saying he had accepted that the time had come to step away from Argentina duty.

“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 gave 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,” the former captain wrote.

Messi said his commitment to Argentina had extended throughout his time with the national team, rather than being limited to the period in which the side enjoyed its greatest successes.

His statement follows a period in which he led Argentina to the biggest honours in international football. He captained the team to victory at the 2022 World Cup and also featured as Argentina reached the final in 2026.

The decision brings an end to Messi’s time representing Argentina, during which he said he had consistently tried to give everything for the national-team shirt. In his message, he emphasised the personal pain involved in leaving but also made clear that he felt comfortable with the decision.

“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you alongside my teammates moments we once only dreamed of,” he added.

Messi also reflected on the shared nature of Argentina’s achievements, crediting his team-mates for the moments that had once seemed beyond reach. His wording presented the success as something created collectively, rather than as an individual accomplishment.

The Instagram message combined an emotional farewell with a sense of fulfilment. Messi acknowledged that the decision remained painful, while saying he could depart with pride after giving his maximum effort to the national team.

He also recalled his desire to bring happiness to Argentina supporters and to make them proud through football. That ambition, he said, had been at the centre of his efforts whenever he wore the national-team jersey.

There was no suggestion in the statement that he viewed his international career as unfinished. Instead, Messi said he understood that the moment had arrived to leave, while pointing to the major achievements he had secured with Argentina.

His international career therefore closes with Argentina’s captain having led the country to the 2022 World Cup and the 2026 final, and with Messi saying he can look back on those accomplishments alongside his team-mates with peace of mind and pride.