Lionel Messi retires from international football after Argentina career

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after a record-breaking Argentina career that brought him the FIFA World Cup and two Copa America titles.

Messi captained Argentina to the FIFA World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2002 before leading the team to another World Cup final this year. Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Spain after extra time in that match.

The 2025 Copa America triumph was Messi’s second continental title with Argentina, following their success in 2021. He also won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award eight times during his career.

Messi made his senior debut for Argentina in 2005 and went on to win 207 caps. With 125 international goals, he retires as the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.

The decision comes after Messi said earlier in August that he was considering his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge, who died aged 68 after a long illness.

Messi confirmed his decision in a statement posted on social media.

“Today, after what happened to my father, I am even more convinced than before.

“After all this time since the final, after thinking about it a lot, I want to announce to everyone that I am retiring from international football…

“It is a decision that hurt me and still hurts me deep down, but I understand that this is the right time. I swear to you that I have always given everything. Not only in these past few years when we won everything, but before that too.

“I always fought and gave everything for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentine through football.

“There is little time left and the chapters are gradually closing. This one is especially painful for me. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I have given everything, I have nothing left to give, and behind me there are great young players coming through who deserve to be there.

“Thank you for all the love you have given me over these 20 years. I am going to miss hearing your support from the inside enormously. From now on, I will be one of you, cheering and supporting the team from the outside, in the good times and the bad, and even more so in the bad.

“Thank you to my family for always being there and for accompanying me on this journey that was as beautiful as it was difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I had the good fortune to meet. I leave with unforgettable memories and moments lived.

“I leave with the peace and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, moments we had dreamed of. It was crazy to live all of this with you.

“I love you!

“Thank you my God for making me Argentine. VAMOS ARGENTINA!”

Messi said he had always given everything for the Argentina shirt, both during the team’s period of major success and in the years before those achievements.

His international career included the World Cup victory in Qatar, Copa America wins in 2021 and 2025, as well as his status as Argentina’s leading scorer and appearance-maker.

He ended his statement by thanking his family, coaches, team-mates and officials, and said he would now support Argentina from outside the team in both good and difficult moments.