Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39, bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest careers in the history of the game.
The Argentina captain leaves the international stage after 21 years, having established himself as his country’s most-capped and highest-scoring player with 207 appearances and a record 125 goals.
Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005 and went on to win every major international trophy available to him. His crowning achievement came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he captained Argentina to glory and was named the tournament’s best player.
He also guided his country to Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, while lifting the inaugural Finalissima in 2022.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remained a key figure for Argentina at the World Cup this summer, leading the team to another final before deciding that his international journey had reached its conclusion.
Messi confirmed his retirement in a statement posted on Instagram, revealing that he had originally written the message on July 21, two days after the final.
The defeat, he said, “hurt deeply”, while acknowledging that he felt he had “nothing left to give”.
His decision was further strengthened by the death of his father, Jorge, earlier in August.
Messi paid an emotional tribute to his father, who had been his agent and played a major role in his career.
“I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t, my legs had nothing left,” Messi said.
“This time I tried to push past my physical limits, but I couldn’t. I never managed to feel right.”
He said his father would remain present in his life, particularly through the way he raises his children.
“I am going to miss you a lot, but you will always be present, and especially in the education of my children, because I teach them and educate them as you did with me,” he said.
Messi’s retirement closes an extraordinary international chapter that included years of disappointment before he finally delivered major silverware for Argentina.
His 125 goals and 207 appearances place him comfortably at the summit of Argentina’s all-time records, while his World Cup triumph cemented his status as one of football’s all-time greats.
With the next World Cup scheduled for 2030, Messi’s decision was widely anticipated given his age, but his departure nevertheless marks the end of an era for Argentina and world football.
