Lionel Messi retires from international football after World Cup final defeat

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final.

The 39-year-old forward, who helped Argentina win the World Cup in 2022, said the decision was painful after his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time,” Messi wrote on Instagram.

“I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt,” he added.

Messi captained Argentina to victory over France in a penalty shootout in Doha four years ago, but Spain proved too strong in this year’s final at MetLife Stadium.

The defeat came after Messi had played a central role in Argentina’s run to the final. He scored eight goals during the tournament and provided two assists in a dramatic late comeback against England in the semi-final.

However, Spain denied Argentina the chance to lift the trophy for a second successive World Cup. The final ended in ugly scenes, with midfielder Leandro Paredes and several of his Argentina team-mates later receiving bans and fines for their involvement in clashes with Spain players.

Paredes was punished for grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestling Gavi to the ground.

Messi was pictured in tears after being presented with his runners-up medal. After the match, he described the pain of defeat as “immense” and said it would “take a long time for this wound to heal”.

His decision to retire also follows the death of his father, Jorge, in August. At the time, Messi said he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any kind for “much longer”.

“I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on. I just played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer,” he said then.

Messi made 207 appearances for Argentina and is the country’s record goalscorer with 125 goals. During a 21-year international career, he also won two Copa Americas.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said Argentina’s next generation should now take responsibility for the national team.

“I love, I loved, and I will always love being on the national team,” he wrote. “I gave everything I had, I have nothing more to give, and besides, there are some very talented young players coming up behind me who deserve to be there.”

Messi’s club career will continue with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, where his contract runs until the end of the 2028 season.

His retirement brings to an end one of the most decorated international careers in football history, including Argentina’s long-awaited World Cup triumph in 2022 and his two Copa America titles.